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GENEALOGY
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The Jesse Knight Family

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JESSE KNIGHT

He had the vision to see, and the courage to do.

The Jesse Knight Family

Jesse Knight, His Forebears
and Family

JESSE WILLIAM KNIGHT
Second Son of Jesse Knight

The Deseret News Press

Printed in the United States
of America

Second printing

FOREWORD

1333109

esse Knight was a man of faith, but as a man
of faith he was not a mere dreamer, he was a man of affairs,
and as a man of affairs he was not a mere money grabber.

As a youth he had observed some unworthy actions of
supposed-to-be worthy men, and had become indifferent to
religion, but not to uprightness and honesty.

As with Saul of Tarsus, the Lord had a work for him
to do; as with Saul, a miraculous conversion took place.

To the converted Jesse Knight came a voice from the
Heavens, not in a dream but in his entire wakefulness, telling
of mineral wealth he was to dig from the earth and use for
the welfare of his people. This inspiration set him digging,
and he found great wealth.

And so began the great stewardship of his life, the dis¬
pensing of wealth given into his care for the help of the
Church and the providing of employment for the people under
conditions conducive to right living. This work was in har¬
mony with the aspirations of his great soul, and brought joy
into his life.

But Jesse Knight does not stand in genealogical isolation;
his forbears were actuated by the same spirit, and his descend¬
ants have a trend in the same direction. To comprehend fully
the life of Jesse Knight, it is necessary, therefore, to know
something of his ancestors and to visualize those who have
come after.

A few years ago J. William Knight related some incidents
from the life of his father to Harrison R. Merrill and requested
the professor to write the biography. Professor Merrill, how¬
ever, was so delighted with Will's simple and direct narrative,
that he urged the son to write the biography in his own lan¬
guage. Will acted on the suggestion, and the following

memoirs are the result.

FOREWORD

I am glad Will Knight has written the life story of his
father and given us something further of the Knight family.
It is well that the inspiring story should be told.

J. Marinus Jensen.

BY THE AUTHOR

While writing this simple sketch of my father's life, I
have felt wonderfully repaid because it has been an uplift to
me to again ponder over the unselfish manner in which he
approached all his problems. He loved to help people, and
with such an object in view he felt certain success would
follow his endeavors. Wealth to him was a great responsi¬
bility. He felt it had come to him through divine promptings,
and he knew the use he made of the same was his answer to
the trust imposed.

Money in the hands of those who use it wisely is a power
for good. Jesse Knight believed spiritual guidance was a key
to success and safety to a people or nation who followed it.

It is easy for me to believe that a divine hand guided many
of father's ventures in life in harmonizing the temporal with
the spiritual, also in the rearing of his family, who all had a
full confidence in his fair dealings with them.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In preparing the story of my father and of the Knight
family I would not be doing justice if I did not acknowledge
the splendid help of Mother Knight, before her passing, my
wife, my brother and sisters, and of Professors Harrison R.
Merrill and J. Marinus Jensen, both of the English depart¬
ment, Brigham Young University. I wish to express my appre¬
ciation of the kindness of Honorable C. A. Magrath for his
permission to use his fine comments on my father’s work in
Canada, published in his book, The Gaits , and of Leon
Newren, who has rendered valuable service in looking up
information. Jesse William Knight.

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

I. Newel Knight, Father of Jesse . 9

II. Early Life of Lydia Goldthwaite, Jesse’s

Mother . 13

III. Newel and Lydia Goldthwaite Knight . . 16

IV. Lydia a Widow . 21

V. Early Life of Jesse Knight. Marriage . 25

VI. Ranch Life . 29

VII. Sickness, Death, Penitence . 33

VIII. Uncle Jesse’s Stewardship . 37

IX. Stewardship Responsibility . 48

X. The Stewardship in Canada . 52

XI. Knight Industries and Other Enterprises . 65

XII. Saving the Credit of the Church . 82

XIII. A Friend of Brigham Young University . 88

XIX. Close of Stewardship . 93

XV. Final Testimonials . 98

FAMILY BIOGRAPHIES

Amanda McEwan Knight . 103

Lydia Minerva Knight . 111

Oscar Raymond Knight . 112

Jesse William Knight . 117

Inez Knight Allen . 123

Jennie Knight Mangum . 129

Iona Knight Jordan . . . 137

Chapter I

NEWEL KNIGHT, FATHER OF JESSE

± Iewel Knight, father of Jesse Knight, was one
of the early members of the L. D. S. Church. The following
account of his life is culled in part from his journal published
in 1883 by the Juvenile Instructor and in part from Lydia
Knight's History, also published by the Juvenile Instructor ,

From Newel Knight's Journal:

I was born September 13, 1800 in Marlborough, Wind¬
ham County, Vermont. My father's name was Joseph.* He was
born November 3, 1772 at Oakham, Worcester, Massachusetts,
and my mother’s maiden name was Polly Peck, born April 6,

1776 at Gillford, Windham, Vermont, and died August 7,
1831. My father moved into the state of New York when I
was nine years of age and settled on the Susquehanna River,
near the bend in Chenango County, town of Bainbridge, and
stayed there two years. He then moved down the river six miles,
into Broome County, town of Colesville, and there remained
19 years.

My father owned a farm and grist mill and carding ma¬
chine. He was not rich, yet he possessed enough of this world's
goods to secure to himself and family not only the necessaries,
but also the comforts of life. His family consisted of my mother,
three sons and four daughters, whom they raised in a genteel
and respectable manner and gave their children a good common
school education.

My father was a sober, honest man, respected and loved
by his neighbors and acquaintances. He did not belong to any
religious sect, but was a believer in Universalian Doctrine. The
business in which my father was engaged often required him to
have hired help, and among the many he from time to time
employed was a young man by the name of Joseph Smith Jr.,
to whom I was particularly attached. His noble deportment,
his faithfulness, and his kind address, could not fail to win the
esteem of those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

* Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 47; L. D. S. Biographical
Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 773, Jenson.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

One thing I will mention, which seemed to be a peculiar
characteristic with him in all his boyish sports and amusements.

I never knew anyone to gain advantage over him, and yet he
was always kind and kept the good will of his playmates.

Newel Knight lived with his father until he was twenty-
five years of age. On the seventh of June, 1825, he married
Sally Colburn. Her health was rather delicate. Her father
was a musician, and she a member of the choir in one of the
churches. Upon leaving his father’s home he established a
carding mill and later engaged in running a grist mill which
he gave up because it did not agree with his health.

"During this time,” Newell said, "we were frequently
visited by Joseph Smith, who would entertain us with accounts
of the wonderful things which had happened to him, and
we were deeply impressed with the truthfulness of his state¬
ments concerning the plates of the Book of Mormon which
had been shown to him by an angel of the Lord.”

Newel Knight continued his investigation of the church
which was organized April 6, 1830 at Fayette, Seneca County,
New York. "On Sunday, April 11, 1830, the first public
discourse preached by a Latter-day Saint was delivered by
Oliver Cowdery at the house of Peter Whitmer in Fayette.
During the same month the Prophet honored me with a visit.”

At this time Newel Knight received a great manifestation,
one long to be remembered. This event was known as the
first miracle in the church and many were converted and
joined the church at that time.

Newel Knight was baptized at Fayette, the last week in
May; and on the 1st day of June, 1830, he attended the first
conference held by the church at which thirty members were
in attendance as well as some investigators.

A number were confirmed who had been baptized,
others ordained to various offices in the priesthood. Newel
said that "on this occasion, his heart was filled with love, with
glory and pleasure unspeakable.”

NEWEL KNIGHT, FATHER OF JESSE 11

On Monday morning, June 9, 1830, Oliver Cowdery bap¬
tized Joseph Knight and wife, Joseph Knight, Jr., and Polly
Peck, his wife, Emma Smith, and others.

Immediately after this conference persecutions began.
The Prophet, Joseph Smith, was arrested and taken before
the court at Colesville, to be tried, as he had been at South
Bainbridge a few days before. Newel's father procured legal
help for the prophet, and Newel was a witness in his behalf.

In August Newel and Sally went to the home of Joseph
Smith, Junior, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, on a visit. While
there, a meeting was held consisting of only five persons.
Joseph Smith and wife, Newel Knight and wife, and John
Whitmer. They partook of the sacrament and confirmed the
two sisters.

The latter part of August, 1830, Newel Knight took his
team and wagon and moved the prophet and his family from
Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Fayette, New York, where they
had been invited to live with Mr. Whitmer.

Newel labored as a missionary with Hyrum Smith and
Orson Pratt in the Fall of 1830. In the early part of April,
1831, the Colesville branch with Newell as leader left their
homes and started for Kirtland, Ohio.

On the 6th of August, 1831, Newel's mother died, rejoic¬
ing in the new and everlasting gospel, and praising God that
she had lived to see the land of Zion and that her body would
rest in peace, after all the suffering she had endured from the
persecution of the wicked.

On the 7th, Joseph Smith attended her funeral and ad¬
dressed them in an impressive and consoling manner. It was
the first death that had occurred in the church in this land.

On the 14th of October, 1832, Samuel Knight was born.
Soon after this the Saints were driven from their homes by
unruly mobs, who had under false pretense obtained their
fire arms and destroyed the property of the Saints. Thus

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

homeless and without facilities for taking much with them,
the whole church in Jackson County fled before the mob.
At night those who went to the river, camped in the rain which
poured down in torrents, the frail mother, the helpless infant,
the sick and dying all alike without means to shelter them¬
selves from the cold and ravaging storms. They went to
Clay County, where persecution continued, and on the 15th
of September, 1834, Sally Colburn Knight died, a martyr for
the gospel of Christ. She had a short time previously given
birth to another son who had died. Shortly after this, Newel
started on a mission to Kirtland, going with his companions
down the Missouri River in canoes, leaving his little son
Samuel with his aged aunt. He arrived in Kirtland in the
Spring of 1835, having preached the gospel enroute. He com¬
menced labor on the Kirtland temple and worked until it
was finished and ready for the endowments. On the 23rd
of November, 1835, Newel was united in the holy bonds of
matrimony with Lydia Goldthwaite, by the Prophet, Joseph,
at Hyrum Smith's home, this being the first marriage cere¬
mony that the Prophet ever performed.*

*It might be well to relate how the Prophet came to perform this ceremony. It
had been decided by Hyrum Smith that he would have the ceremony performed at his
home and invite some of the neighbors and some of his own folks. Enroute to get
Seymour Brunson to perform the ceremony he met the Prophet Joseph and in answer
to the query, “Where are you going?’’ replied: “To Brother Seymour Brunson’s
as he is licensed to perform marriage ceremonies.” Whereupon the Prophet said,
“You do not need to get him to perform that ceremony. I will perform it. Our
Elders have been wronged and prosecuted for marrying without a license. The Lord
God of Israel has given me authority to unite the people in the holy bonds of
matrimony and from this time forth I shall use this privilege and marry whomsoever
I see fit and the enemies of the church shall never have power to use the law against me.”

And so it was the following Sunday he married four couples in public meeting,
and continued to do so until his martyrdom without being molested.

Chapter II

EARLY LIFE OF LYDIA GOLDTHWAITE,
JESSE'S MOTHER

T JvmA Goldthwaite had five sisters and six
brothers. She was born June 9, 1812, in Sutton, Worcester
County, Massachusetts. She was an industrious child and
received the reputation of never quitting anything she set her
mind to “until the last lock" was pulled, from the fact that
when given a sheep skin from which to remove the wool, she
would not go with the children to play until the last lock was
pulled.

When about fifteen years of age, she was sent to a board¬
ing school. Among Lydia's acquaintances in the town where
she attended school was a young man named Calvin Bailey,
whom she married in the Fall of 1828, when she was a little
more than sixteen years of age. In 1829 a little girl was born
to them, greatly to the joy of this young mother. Her husband
proved to be unworthy of her because he drank and finally
deserted her, leaving her in poverty. She and her little daugh¬
ter found a home with her parents. Six months after she
was deserted, a little son was born to her in February, 1832,
but died almost at its birth.

The following January, 1833, her little daughter died,
leaving Lydia broken hearted. Shortly after this a friend
of the family, Mr. Freeman Nickerson, came to visit the
Goldthwaites and seeing how sad and lonely Lydia was, he
prevailed upon her parents to allow her to go to Mount
Pleasant in Canada and stay with his family. They made
the journey in a sleigh, crossing Lake Erie on the ice. Mrs.
Nickerson was very kind to the lonely woman, and they all
became great friends.

i4 THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

It was during her stay in Mount Pleasant that Lydia first
met the Prophet Joseph Smith, and Sidney Rigdon. Meetings
were held at the Nickerson home and Lydia accepted the
Gospel and was baptized at this time, October, 1833.

Lydia remained at Mount Pleasant until the summer
of 1834 and then went to St. Cathrine, about eighty miles
from her father’s home, where she remained two months.
Then she went to her father’s home. Her father and mother
were very much disturbed on learning of her having joined
the Mormons and they would not be persuaded by any of
her testimonies concerning the truth of the Gospel. Finally
Lydia wanted very much to join the Saints at Kirtland in order
to be with them. Her father and mother gave her ample
means to go to her destination and be comfortable and
respectable. She left in the Spring of 1835. On reaching
Kirtland, the family with whom Lydia had traveled, set at
once to make arrangements to settle down. Leaving his wife
and Lydia at the hotel, Mr. Knight, for that was the gentle¬
man’s name, went out, soon returning with his brother,
Vincent Knight, who was a resident of Kirtland but not con¬
nected with the Newel Knight family.

On being introduced to Lydia, Vincent Knight said,
“Sister, the Prophet is in bondage and has been brought into
distress by the persecutions of the wicked, and if you have
any means to give, it will be a benefit to him. “Oh yes, sir,”
she replied, “here is all I have. I only wish it were more,”
emptying her purse containing perhaps fifty dollars, in his
hand as she spoke.*

He counted it and fervently exclaimed, “Thank God, this
will release and set the Prophet free.”

As evening drew on Vincent Knight returned and brought
the welcome news that Joseph was at liberty, and Lydia’s joy

‘The Prophet returned to Lydia about double the sum advanced him, just prior
to the departure of Newel and Lydia for their western home in Clay County, Missouri.

EARLY LIFE OF JESSE'S MOTHER

to think that she had been the humble means of helping
the Prophet, was unbounded.

Vincent Knight then offered her a home with his family
which she accepted, and remained with them for six or eight
months.

In the Fall of 1835 Hyrum Smith requested Lydia to
come to his home and assist his wife. He promised her she
should receive all the care and thought that could be given
to her if she were at her own home. She complied with the
request, and while living with the Smiths became acquainted
with Newel Knight, who was working on the Kirtland temple,
and who later became her husband.

The children of Newel and Lydia G. Knight are: Sally,
born Dec. 1, 1836, in Clay Co., Mo.; James Philander, born
April 29, 1838, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Mo.; Joseph, bom
Oct. 18, 1840, at Nauvoo, Ill.; Newel, born Oct. 14, 1842,
at Nauvoo, Ill.; Lydia, born June 6, 1844, at Nauvoo, Ill.;
Hyrum, born Aug. 26, 1847, at Ponca Camp, Missouri. Lydia
married John Dalton in 1851 and a daughter, Artemesia, was
born to them in Dec., 1852, at Salt Lake Co., Utah.

Chapter III

NEWELL AND LYDIA GOLDTHWAITE KNIGHT

.ljLfter their marriage the Knights remained in
Kirtland until the Temple was dedicated, and were witnesses
to the great manifestation of God's power in that sacred
edifice.

Newel and his wife left Kirtland April 7, 1836 to go to
Clay county, where, after some difficulty with storms, they
arrived on May 6, 1836.

In February, 1838, they left Clay County and joined the
Saints who had gone before to Far West, in Caldwell County,
The couple was free from debt and had some means on hand.

Newel and his family moved with the Saints to Com¬
merce, where he was called by the Prophet to assist in the
erection of a flour mill, and from that time until they left
Nauvoo with the Saints to find a home in the barren wilds
of Western America, Newel was engaged more or less in the
building and working of grist and saw mills for the benefit of
the Saints. Newel Knight says, “But in the midst of these
varied circumstances I never felt to doubt the truth of the
Gospel or the divinity of Joseph Smith's Mission."

After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and
his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844, at Carthage, Illinois, the
Saints, directed by Brigham Young, decided to seek refuge in
the Rocky Mountains.

Newel says, “I was blessed of the Lord insomuch that I
was among the first to leave Illinois in search of a new home.
We left Nauvoo April 17, 1846, and with a family of seven
children, Samuel by the first wife; Sally, James, Joseph, Newel,
Lydia, and Jesse, children of Lydia Goldthwaite. When all
were ready to start, Brigham Young said, “I will appoint

NEWEL AND LYDIA GOLDTH WAITE KNIGHT

Newel Knight to take charge of the first company of fifty and
Joseph Holbrook to be captain of the second company of
fifty.”

After traveling for some time, having had some un¬
expected delays, the company received a letter from President
Young advising them not to attempt to reach the mountains
as the Season was far advanced. The captains then sought for
a suitable place to winter. Some Ponca Indians came up
while the parties were in doubt as to what to do, and offered
them a winter home on their lands. They said only a few
“suns” would bring them over to the place, and that there
were water and grass in abundance. Traveling for two weeks
they finally stopped on a plateau above the Niobrara River
where they built a fort of log cabins among their new found
friends, the Indians. From Lydia Knight’s account, the red
men were very kind and hospitable to the white men. Many
of them had never before seen a “paleface,” and the wagons
and cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens were objects of wonder
and admiration to them.

The white men were equally amused with the odd dress,
manners and habits of the children of the prairies. As winter
drew on, the little camp was made comfortable with log
cabins and stables. Newel and Lydia were looking forward
to the time when the end of the long journey would be
reached and they might again be settled in a home with the
dear little ones growing up around them. His wife, Lydia,
records in her history: “On Monday morning, January 4th,
1847, Newel, whose health had been failing, said, ‘Lydia, I
believe I shall go to rest this winter/ The next night he
awoke with a severe pain in his right side; a fever had set in,
and in spite of all that loving hands could do, he grew worse.
“I felt at last that I could not endure his sufferings any longer
and that I ought not to hold him here. I knelt by his bedside
and with my hands upon his pale forehead, asked my Heavenly

i8 THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Father to forgive my sins; and that the suffering of my com¬
panion might cease, and if he was appointed unto death, and
could not remain with us that he might be quickly eased from
pain and fall asleep in peace. Almost immediately, all pain
left him and in a short time he sweetly fell asleep in death
without a struggle or a groan, at half past six on the morning
of the 11th of January, 1847.

His remains were interred at sunset on the evening of
the day he died, in a lumber coffin made from a wagon box.
The day was excessively cold and some of the brethren had
their fingers and feet frozen while digging the grave and
performing the last office of love for their honored captain
and brother.

As they carried him away, Lydia whispered with poor
pale lips, “God rules/'

Among those encamped on the Niobrara in the winter
of 1846-47 was Isaac Riddle, a boy of sixteen. In June, 1901,
at the instance of Jesse Knight, Brother Riddle, at that time
a resident of Provo, went to the town of Niobrara in Nebraska,
for the purpose of locating, if possible, Newel Knight's burial
place and two mill-burrs, chiseled by him during the winter
of 1846-47, from the granite boulders in the neighboring hill¬
sides.

The grave, however, with those of others buried at that
place, had been obliterated and the mill-burrs could not be
found, but ashes from fireplaces in the barracks were dis¬
covered.

In the spring of 1907, a party consisting of Jesse Knight;
his daughter, Inez Knight Allen; his daughter-in-law, Lucy
Jane B. Knight; an elder brother, Samuel R. Knight; Pres¬
ident George H. Brimhall of Brigham Young University; and
J. W. Townsend of Crete, Nebraska, visited the old campsite
and made arrangements for a piece of ground on which to
erect a monument for Jesse's father. On this ground was

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.iwwwwmtiwi

NEWEL AND LYDIA GOLDTHWAITE KNIGHT 19

erected an imposing granite shaft facing the highway, and
enclosed by an iron fence. On the shaft is inscribed the
following bit of history:

Erected 1908
NEWEL KNIGHT

Born September 13, 1800; Died, January 11,
1847. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.

FATHER

Who died during the hardships of our exodus
from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City. '‘Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”— Matt. V:io.

Others who died at Ponca in the years 1846-47: Mr.
Caval, Mrs. Caval, Lucy Brunson, Ann Boyce, Mrs. Rufus
Tack, Mrs. Spicer Crandall, Mrs. Newell Drake, Mrs. Dame,
Gardurout Noble, Benjamin F. Mayer.

Among those who were at the winter camp in 1846-47
was the mother of President George IT. Brimhall and her
brother Benjamin Mayer. The latter died there, and is among
those buried in the little Niobrara grave yard.

While there President Brimhall, who is a gifted poet,
composed the following lines:

Not backward, but onward and upward they looked;

A fire in each bosom was burning.

For the new land of promise the Lord had them booked
And they yearned with an Israelite yearning.

The comforts of home they had left far behind.

The wilderness wild was around them;

The voice of their God was the only one kind,

And here the cold winter had found them.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

The smoke from their cabins arose to the sky —

Their prayers of the morning and bed time.

Went up to the throne of the father on high
As they patiently watched for the springtime.

Joy gushed from the heart in each noble breast.

At the words, “We leave on the morrow";

But the graves now unknown where the dear ones still rest
Kept open the fountains of sorrow. — June 9, 1907.

Chapter IV

LYDIA A WIDOW

-L 1 otwithstanding her faith, her heart cried out
in sorrow many times, for her burden seemed more than she
could bear. She felt the spirit of her husband still was guiding
her to her destiny. In April, 1847, word was given to move
the camp from Ponca back to Winter Quarters. Lydia started
out with her family and effects in two wagons, drawn by
three yoke of oxen, one driven by Samuel, who was thirteen
years old, and the other by James, who was nine, being her
own oldest son. She settled with some of the Saints at
Camp Ponca, named after the first camp Ponca, a place
designated by Brigham Young, two miles from Winter Quar¬
ters, on the west side of the Missouri River.

The brethren put up a log cabin for her where she re¬
mained one year. Being advised to do so, she let her stepson,
Samuel, go on to the valley. With the help of her children
she raised a garden that summer, and her cows did well. On
the 26th of August, 1847, a son was b°rn which she named
Hyrum. Naturally, her mind went back to the time when
Newel, her companion, was by her side in these critical hours,
but now she must go alone.

President Young, who had journeyed to the valley, now
returned to Winter Quarters for his family. Others who were
sufficiently equipped for the journey now started west. Presi¬
dent Young suggested that Lydia allow her three yoke of
oxen and two wagons to go to help fit out someone else who
could go and take care of themselves when they got there.
This she did, and returned to her home in Ponca. In the
spring of 1848, on account of the troublesome Indians, Winter

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Quarters was vacated by the Saints, who all moved across
the river to Pottowattamie.

Again Lydia found herself without a roof to shelter her.
After some search, Dr. Lee, who had moved her across the
river, found a dug-out, half cave and half hut, on the banks
of the creek, which Lydia converted into a home where she
and her children lived for one year.

In June, through her own effort, she was able to purchase
the home of widow Ensign, who was leaving for the valley.
Here she was very comfortable and happy. Her children were
in school and she was busy with her washtub and needles
for those who could afford to hire her.

June ist, 1850, she was able to start to the valley in
Bishop Hunter's company, with Jesse Haven, captain of the
ten, in which were her friends, the Cluffs. Part of her load
was in one of these wagons, as one of her teams drew the load.

Her food supply consisted of corn, part of which was
parched by the children, after which it was taken to the mill
and ground. She had also 100 pounds of flour, 10 pounds
of sugar, a few pounds of dried fish, some soap, a few matches,
and a little soda. Among the equipment, was an old fashioned
wooden churn with a dasher, into which she put the extra
milk before starting on a day's journey. By evening time,
through the jolting of the wagon bouncing the dasher in the
churn, she had a small pat of butter all ready for their evening
meal.

Her wagon was drawn by two cows in lead, while two
old oxen which had been to the valley before, were at the
wheel. James, now twelve years old, was the driver.

Weeks and months passed, and at last, about the first
of October, the train entered Emigration canyon. All anx¬
iously watched for the first sight of the valley of the Great
Salt Lake, where all hopes were centered, and their feet were
bound.

LYDIA A WIDOW

What a joyful cry ascended from the weary travelers as
the mouth of the canyon was reached, and they were almost
at their journey's end. Oh, what a glorious time was that.
Lydia's heart swelled with unspeakable joy as her eye beheld
the scene before her, and she realized that her journey's end
had been reached.

Jesse was a lad of five, when on the 3rd of October, 1850,
the company reached the city, then called Great Salt Lake
City. Wagons went here and there, friends rushed out from
every home, hut and tent to greet and welcome the travelers,
and among the first to meet them was Samuel Knight, who
rejoiced in being with his loved ones again. On the 4th day,
after their arrival, Lydia directed him and James to yoke up
the oxen and the cows, and drove to a vacant lot in what is
now the First Ward, took possession of the same and once
more made plans for a house, which they built of adobes.
Lydia delivered up the two oxen rented and gave her note
for sixty dollars for the use of them in crossing the plains.
Before two years were passed this note was redeemed and she
was out of debt.

As soon as possible, after moving into the house, Lydia
went around to her neighbors and told them she was about
to open a small school. On the opening day she was surprised
to see so many pupils present. The school paid so well during
the winter, and so satisfied were the patrons, that she was
solicited to accept the Ward school, which she did in the
Spring.

Lydia was always a faithful tithe payer, even in her
greatest poverty. After arriving in Salt Lake Valley the first
pound of butter made from the cream of the milk given by
the cows that had helped pull the wagon across the plains
was paid to the Church as tithing. She had faith that if she
paid the first pound instead of waiting to pay the tenth, she

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

would receive a blessing, and declared that she was never
without butter in the home after that.

When Johnston's Army came to Utah in 1858, Lydia and
her family moved to Provo, where she bought a farm from
Mr. Hooks, who was moving away. This farm was a good
one, and with the valuable assistance of her sons, she soon
became comfortable.

Later she married a widower, James McClellan, with two
daughters aged eleven and thirteen. They moved to Payson
in i860 where his farm was situated. Two or three years
after this, Brother McClellan was called south and Lydia
moved with him. They settled in Santa Clara, leaving Jesse
and Hyrum with their brother James, in Provo.

After a companionship of twenty years Lydia was once
more a widow, as Brother McClellan died February 10, 1880.

In 1882, Lydia purchased a piece of property in St. George
and settled there and managed to live quite comfortably with
the proceeds of her estate. She occasionally visited her chil¬
dren and grandchildren in Payson and Provo.

Lydia did ordinance work for many of her kindred in the
St. George Temple and at the close of a day when the last
name she had to work for was done, she went to bed and
passed peacefully in her last sleep, April 3, 1884, at St. George,
Washington County, Utah.

Chapter V

EARLY LIFE OF JESSE KNIGHT-MARRIAGE

Jesse Knight was born at Nauvoo, Illinois, Sep¬
tember 6, 1845, and died at Provo, Utah, March 14, 1921,
ending a life of devotion to his family, to his church, and to
the people throughout the West.

As a young boy, he knew nothing much but hardships
such as herding cows barefooted, gathering pigweeds and sego
roots as a help toward the family’s meager food supply. His
clothing consisted of coarse homespun cloth, sacks and made-
over clothes of all kinds. When but eleven years of age he
took oxen on shares and hauled winter wood, getting larger
boys to help him load his wagon. In 1857 his mother and
family moved to Provo, where he herded cows and gleaned
potatoes. With his earnings he bought a colt, the first thing
he ever owned, which was the pride and joy of his young
heart, but for a short time only, as he traded it for a cow
which he gave to his mother. He had a keen desire to make
life easier for his mother, as he saw her weave late into the
night by the light of a burning greased rag. He had little
chance for schooling, but his mother taught him much while
she worked. He was a pioneer both by nature and experience.

When fifteen, he went with ox team to take a load of
oats to the Overland Mail Station in Egan Canyon near Ely,
Nevada. The trip was hard and lonely. The wagon was so
loaded there was no place for him to ride except to stand on
the wagon tongue. He had to travel nights over the desert
and was so weary and sleepy he dared not ride at night for
fear of falling under the wagon wheels; so he walked, often
dozing and waking himself by falling down.

At 16 Jesse Knight was employed by Ben Roberts at

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

$30.00 per month. He did a man’s work at logging and when
he had worked there a few months he told Mr. Roberts he
thought he could do a little better and was going to change.
Mr. Ben Roberts told him to continue at work and he would
do right by him. At the end of six months he was paid
$50.00 per month from the day he started. Father never
forgot this encouragement from an employer to a struggling
boy. He made many hazardous trips into Nevada and Mon¬
tana when lynchings were common. He once sold a load of
produce in Montana and was paid in gold dust, and, for fear
of robbers on his lonely trip home, he hid the gold in the
hub of an old wagon wheel which he carried in the back of his
wagon. He sometimes saw men who had been lynched
hanging to trees at the side of the road in lonely far away
places.

According to the Church Chronology, during the month
of April and May, 1862, there were 3,458 converts from Europe
who arrived in New York and went to Florence, Nebraska,
where thousands of Saints were camped, waiting an oppor¬
tunity to go to “Salt Lake Valley.” In order that these people
might come to Utah, in May, 1862 the church sent 262 wagons,
293 men, 2,880 oxen and 143,315 pounds of flour from Utah
to assist the poor immigrants across the plains and mountains.

They traveled in six companies under Captains Horton
D. Haight, Henry W. Miller, Homer Duncan, Joseph Horne,
John R. Murdock, and Ansel P. Harmon.

Jesse Knight, then seventeen years old, went back with
this company under the direction of Horton D. Haight as
captain. This gave Jesse an opportunity to go over the road
he had traveled thirteen years before, with his widowed mother
and her family.

There were 650 immigrants in this train which Jesse as¬
sisted in bringing to Utah. They arrived in Salt Lake City,
Sunday, Sept. 19, 1862, making the round trip from the valley

EARLY LIFE OF JESSE KNIGHT

to Florence and back in a little over four months. Thirty
persons of this company died enroute and were buried on
the plains.

At 22, Jesse Knight spent the summer guarding the new
settlements in Sanpete from the Indians and participated in
what was known as the Black Hawk war, hence was numbered
among the veterans.

Jesse Knight related a circumstance of his courtship days,
while he was living at Provo, showing how he devised a wooden
home-made, one-seated sleigh, in which he called to take his
girl for a ride. When he arrived at her home, she wished her
aunt to accompany them. Though disappointed, he felt he
could not refuse, so they crowded in. As the aunt was not
of the slender type they had difficulty squeezing into the
narrow seat, but finally managed to get away and were soon
gliding through the deep snow. When about a mile from
her home, the sleigh struck a rough spot in the road, and
completely collapsed, spilling them all in the snow. As he
was not able to repair the sleigh, he was greatly disappointed
and embarrassed in having to allow his best girl and her aunt
to walk home in the deep snow while he followed with the
wrecked sleigh and team.

Father had always maintained that he had difficulty
in getting the girls to pay attention to him, he was backward
and felt awkward in their presence. It was customary in his
time to take the girls horseback riding with the girls riding
back of the saddle on the same horse. His partner generally
wished him to keep up with some of the other young men so
that she might engage in a conversation with them. Such
circumstances, of course, were embarrassing to him. How¬
ever, he finally found a very fine young woman in the person
of Amanda McEwan, who in spite of his awkwardness, ap¬
preciated his worth, and with whom he fell deeply in love.
They soon became engaged and plans were made for their

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

marriage in October, 1868, but in September he heard of
the approach of the Union Pacific Railroad. He owned a
wagon and yoke of oxen, and bought another ox team and a
load of barley on credit, and went to meet the railroad.

He secured a job for himself and teams running a plow
at $20 per day. After working several months the wedding
was again set for January 1st. He started home for this date
in due time, but was snow-bound in Provo Canyon. His
being unable to send word regarding his whereabouts made
the occasion an anxious time for the bride to be, as well as
himself. This again necessitated postponing the wedding,
this time to January 18, 1869, when they were married in the
Endowment house in Salt Lake City.

On their return trip to Provo in their light spring wagon,
one horse died before they reached their destination. It
became necessary to borrow a horse to complete the journey.

The young couple had a home of their own, which they
moved into. Jesse had made adobes and helped to lay the
walls and finish two rooms. The home was located on 5th
West, Provo, Utah. His wife had sewed rags and woven
carpets to cover the floors. She had woven cloth for neigh¬
bors and with the proceeds bought material and made quilts.
Although under eighteen years of age, she was a real help¬
mate. She tailored the first suit her husband had after they
were married.

Chapter VI
RANCH LIFE

Jesse Knight began his ranching business in a
small way soon after he was married, by investing his earnings
in lands and live stock, until he finally acquired a good sized
ranch about two miles west of Payson, which he stocked with
dairy cattle, horses, and equipment suitable for that kind
of business. They made cheese and butter, thus giving the
entire family plenty of work. Here I might say our mother
performed a most important work, as she managed the making
of the cheese and butter, besides directing her own work for
the family, always keeping the home attractive to her chil¬
dren and the many visitors who chanced to stay with us
from time to time. She was also largely responsible for the
management and education of the children as she possessed
ability in many lines. She was a good reader, having dramatic
power to hold the attention of her listeners so that people
young and old delighted to be in her company.

Our ranch being some distance from Payson, home en¬
tertainers were provided, and ofttimes the visiting children
from town would stay with us and would invariably want
mother to tell stories and read to them rather than play
by themselves.

We had good neighbors, though we did not live near
them, and I here relate a circumstance showing this fact of
their thoughtfulness and generous attitude. It so happened
that we had an orchard of young trees which was located
under an irrigation ditch jointly used. Our lands being located
at the end of the ditch. During the drouth year our trees
were wilting for lack of water. Our neighbor, Jacob Hancock,
passing our place, saw the dying condition of the trees, and
immediately went home and removed his dams in the ditch

3°

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

and allowed his turn of water to come down for the benefit of
our trees, without saying anything about what he had done.
As soon as father discovered the water coming to him ahead
of his turn, he immediately got on a horse and rode up to
Brother Hancock's place and told him his dam had broken
and that we were receiving the water. “Oh no!" said the
good neighbor, “I saw the dying condition of your trees and
concluded you needed the water more than my grain did; so
I removed my dam that you might save your trees." Thus
the gracious act of Jacob Hancock, our neighbor, was a lasting
favor in the memory of Jesse Knight, and was never forgotten.

One day, when we were small, Ray and I were helping
father plant corn near our home in the hot sun, with gnats
pestering us unmercifully, we complained about the job we
were doing, saying we would rather take a “licking" than plant
corn. We continued to growl and whine, and say we would
rather take a “licking" than plant corn; so father concluded
to satisfy Ray's complaint by sending him to get a willow
from a tree near by. He then proceeded to give him a good
“tanning," telling him to go and get a book and sit in the
shade and he and Will would plant the corn. We continued
the work for a short time and, seeing Ray sitting in the shade
taunting me with his contented smile, seemed more than I
could bear, so I said, “Father, I would rather take a licking
than plant corn," for I thought a “tanning" would soon be
over. So father sent me for a switch and surely gave me a
good “tanning." When he had finished, he said, “Now you
go and get a book and sit in the shade, and I will plant the
corn alone. Now that I have raised you boys until you are
big enough to help me make a living, given you money,
clothed you, etc., if you're not willing to help, you may go
sit in the shade, I will plant the corn alone."

This appeal brought more tears, so I concluded to stay
and help him. This incident reached Mr. John Douglass,

RANCH LIFE

a store keeper in Payson, who was a great laugher and jollier,
and he never saw me but what he reminded me of the event
by saying, “And you are the boy who took the licking and
also planted the corn/’ It always embarrassed me greatly
to have him remind me of th6 affair.

Father was once asked how it was his children minded so
well. “Well,” said he, “I try to find out what they want
to do and then tell them to do it.” He also had another
appeal which worked well and that was bragging about us
before others. I remember a circumstance that will illustrate
this— it was about chores and milking time. Ray and I were
in an adjoining room, and we knew father had a friend who
had come to visit, and in the course of their conversation
father raised his voice some, in order for us to hear, and he
said: “You know I have the best boys to do the chores on
stormy nights like this. They just get the milk-buckets and
go and do all the milking of the cows without saying a word
to me about it.” So Ray and I tiptoed quietly and got the
milk-buckets together without making any noise and slipped
away full of glee and did the milking, proving the brag that
was made about us to his friend.

Most of the people of Utah County knew Jesse Knight
during his residence there as a cattle buyer, rancher and
trader, as he loved to match his trading abilities with others.
The people liked to do business with him because of his fair
dealings. Many times he paid poor people and widows more
for their calves than they would ask. It always seemed easy
for him to be generous to those in need or in humble circum¬
stances, and this reputation seemed to precede him as he went
through the country buying cattle.

The cattle he bought were fed at the ranch during the
winter with the hay crop produced during the summer, and
in this way he disposed of the hay by selling the calves in
the spring at a profit.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Life on the ranch was not an easy one for a woman, but
Jesse's companion was cheerful and brave in facing hardship.
She prized honor and integrity above worldly comforts. It
was she who had encouraged her husband to trade their
precious home in Provo for a ranch west of Payson, where he
might produce some things for himself and others, although
it was some distance from neighbors. Communication was
by wagon and was slow and difficult as the roads were poor.
He relates that while living on the ranch working many hours
a day he was asked to go into the saloon business where there
would be less work and more money made. He consulted his
wife about the venture; she said, very sternly, “I would rather
eat bread and water all the days of my life than have you go
into such a business, for every dollar made that way is some¬
body's sorrow." He accepted her view and never went into
the saloon business. It was in their ranch home that five of
their children were born; two boys and three girls, it was there
also the parents continued to toil for the necessities of life,
and a few comforts; it was there the father and mother and
children worked, studied, and played together; it was there
where often at close of day we youngsters wandered over the
green meadows in search of bird's nests and wild flowers.
We had, indeed, a happy and joyous family life together.

But into this happy home were to come experiences of
such grave import as to alter our lives; into the life of Jesse
Knight was to come a new influence that through trial and
suffering was to bring a change of heart, and was to make him
a powerful instrument in the service of God and his fellow-
man.

Chapter VII

SICKNESS, DEATH, PENITENCE

J esse Knight had not taken any part in religious
activity in the Latter-day Saint Church; in fact he was very
much opposed to it and had argued against it many times
with his mother, Lydia Knight, who was very much devoted
to it and its teachings.

Of himself father says: "I was always in sympathy with
the weak or with those who seemed unable to defend them¬
selves. Because I felt that some Latter-day Saints in early
days were prejudiced against the few non-Mormons who were
among us, I was often in sympathy with the outsiders. Through
my ignorance I looked at the actions of men rather than at
the principles of Mormonism, believing that if people knew
the Gospel was true they ought to be better. But when
among outsiders in Montana, I was always known as the
young Mormon, and defended the Mormons."

On his mother’s last visit from St. George to the Knight
family home at Payson, father said to her, “Mother, how is
it you are not preaching to me as you usually do?" She an¬
swered, “Jesse, I have prayed in the Temple for my children
many times and on one occasion the Lord made known to me
that I was not to worry about you any more, that you would
one day understand for yourself." Father then said to her,
“Mother, I know you must be mistaken, for I’m further
from the Church now than I have ever been before." She
replied, “I don’t care what you say, I know you will one
day see the Gospel for yourself, and I never intend to argue
again with you about religion." This conversation took place
in the presence of the family.

About three years after this last visit of Grandmother

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Knight, our peaceful, happy ranch home was a place of sick¬
ness and sorrow, for the drinking water from the well had
been contaminated from the poison of a dead rat. The
children were all afflicted with a raging fever and great
anxiety prevailed for many days and nights. During this time,
Jennie, now Mrs. Mangum, who was then the youngest of
the family, (about two years old) was the first to be afflicted
with the dreaded fever. She was the idol of the whole family,
being of tender years and so playful and beautiful. We almost
worshipped her, and to have her called by death was unthink¬
able, but yet it was the doctor's opinion that nothing more
could be done to save her. She was lying as though in her
last sleep; so we began to pray and wonder if the Lord in
His goodness might not spare her life.

While in this state of mind, mother desired the Elders
to come and administer to her as a means of help according
to the Gospel plan, but father said, “No, it would be hypo¬
critical, now that the doctors have given her up, for me to
resort to such a thing." "And besides," he said, "I have no
faith in the Church." Mother said, "I have, and think my
feelings should have consideration at such a serious moment."
So finally father said that she might have the Elders to satisfy
her desire, and suggested David Lant and Charles Brewerton
as being good men; so Ray was hurriedly sent for them and
in a short time they came and we were soon all kneeling in
prayer around the bedside of the dying child. After she had
been administered to by the Elders she was immediately re¬
stored from unconsciousness to consciousness and life, for
she raised from her pillow and noticed the flowers in the
window. Our prayers were answered, and supreme happiness
prevailed in our household.

From that very moment, my father s life was changed.
He had seen the power of the Lord made manifest and re¬
membered the words of his mother. He began then to plead

SICKNESS, DEATH, PENITENCE

with the Lord to forgive him for the many careless and in¬
different habits formed, with a promise that if forgiveness could
be obtained he would do his best to serve His Heavenly Father.
For many days he continued to pray for help and wisdom.
He felt his prayers were heard, and that he had been forgiven.
From that time on, a new life of great responsibility seemed
to be impressed upon him, together with a very strong desire
to have his children understand the Gospel and join with
him as a family in helping to carry forward a plan of help to
the Church and the people. Our family sickness continued
for several months, with the hand of death near to the chil¬
dren, all the neighbors and friends helping us night and day
during these anxious times.

My sister Minnie was the only one of the children who
had been baptized into the Church, and was in her eighteenth
year. During the dark moments of Jennie's illness, Minnie
had gone in secret prayer to the Lord and offered her life as a
sacrifice for Jennie's and wished the Lord to hear her prayer
to that end. jL.333i.09

"v — s

I here give Jesse Knight's own expression of this incident:

Soon after the miraculous healing of Jennie, our oldest
girl, Minnie, was striken, and a little later all the other children
at once lay very sick. From the time she was taken ill, Minnie
felt that she would not recover. When asked why she felt so,
she answered that when Jennie was so bad she had asked God
to take her if she would do as well as Jennie; so she counted the
days, believing she would live but thirty days from the time
she took sick.

Every day she kept the count, and departed as she had
said. Her going was peaceful, her breath leaving her as she
said the prayer, “Oh God, bless our household.” I remembered
now that when she was a baby she had diphtheria, and that
then, almost seventeen years ago, I had promised the Lord that
if he would spare her life I would not forget Him. I had not
kept that promise. How keenly I felt the justice of her being
taken from us! I suffered in my feelings. I prayed for forgive-

36 THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

ness and help. My prayer was answered and I received a
testimony.

At the time Minnie was carried out for burial, Ray and
Inez were too delirious to know of it, and Will was also sick in
bed. Our trial was severe, indeed. Inez was sick a long time,
and when the crisis came she was very low. Among the Elders
who came to administer, one broke down and cried, saying he
could not pray for a girl who was dead.

But I never lost faith. In secret, I had promised the Lord
that if He would spare her life, I would do all in my power
to teach her the gospel and to rear her to do good. Inez was
spared and this promise I faithfully kept.

Chapter VIII

UNCLE JESSE'S STEWARDSHIP

lo continue the follow-up of my father's life
which was now largely influenced by his religious belief and
experiences: Our Payson home was frequently visited by
mining men traveling to and from Eureka, and father often
visited some of the mines his friends were interested in. On
one occasion he had been prospecting alone on the East side
of the Godiva mountain and had sat down under a pine tree
to rest, when to his great surprise he heard a voice distinctly
say to him, 'This country is here for the Mormons." He was
awake at the time and surprised at the message, not fully
realizing its meaning, but naturally believing that it pertained
to mining in that locality where he was at the time prospecting
in his own way.

Jesse Knight believed that his parents, even though dead,
had some influence in directing his destiny, some power in
directing his life; and that the thing of greatest concern to
them was that he be always faithful to the church. He also
believed that trials came to him because of his carelessness
and as a means of spiritual development. His simple language
was beautiful and full of trust in the Lord.

He was not a geologist, but a prospector; he studied care¬
fully the class of lime rock in which the ores of the other
mines in that locality were formed, and used that as his guide
in prospecting. One day he discovered what he felt was an
excellent piece of mineral ground, and wanted to get it located
at once; so he got Mr. Jared Roundy, an expert miner, to help
him make the location. He offered Mr. Roundy a chance
to be partner in the location. But he declined, saying, "I
do not want an interest in a damned old humbug like this."

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

He wrote the location notice for father and asked him what
he was going to name the claim. "You called it a 'Humbug/
and that is good enough for me/’ so it was named "Humbug”
and the patent was secured under that name. Since then
the limerock in this vicinity has been given the name by
U. S. geologists of "Humbug Lime.” Considerable time
elapsed after his first mining claim, the Humbug, was located
before he had means sufficient to do development work on
this mining property. Jesse Knight tried to interest others
with him in his mining ventures, always feeling sure if he
could secure some financial help he could soon find ore in the
Humbug claim. On one occasion he had a good friend by
the name of Jim McHatton, a cattle buyer, who stayed with
the family considerably during the winter time and generally
purchased our cattle in the spring. Mr. McHatton owned a
cattle ranch in Meeker, Colorado, and possessed considerable
means. After hearing father tell of the wonderful possibilities
that existed in his mining claim he agreed to take one-fourth
interest with him for a consideration of one thousand dollars,
and promised to send the money to him upon his return to
Meeker, and accordingly did so, but in his letter he said he
had once promised himself he would never invest in mines
unless he had the money free from obligation to do so. He
added, "I had to borrow this thousand dollars to keep my
word with you and I don’t know whether I’m doing the right
thing or not in making this venture.” Father felt he had talked
his good friend into this mining deal against his better judg¬
ment; so he immediately returned his money, releasing him
from the obligation. Mining ventures are considered risky
by most people; in this case, however, only a few months
passed when rich ore was found in the very property Mr.
McHatton had been released from buying.

Jesse Knight found great difficulty in obtaining help from
others on this mining venture but finally secured a loan of

UNCLE JESSE’S STEWARDSHIP

fifteen hundred dollars at 12% interest, giving a mortgage
on our ranch at Payson to secure the loan. Work was then
soon under way at the Humbug mining property.

Early in the Spring of 1896 I was working for the Utah
Mines Company under the management of Mr. McCloud.
John Roundy was superintendent of this mine. My father
did not like the idea of my working in the mines for other
people, and he said that he wished I would quit and help him
find a mine in the Humbug property. So, in accordance with
his wishes, I gave up my job and we erected a little one-room
shack on the east slope of the Godiva mountain, near the
Utah road.

One day while we were walking up the steep mountain
side to do work in the Humbug claim, father said, “Will, I
want to tell you something. We are going to have all the
money that we want as soon as we are in a position to handle
it properly. We will some day save the credit of the Church/'

I took issue with father when he made that statement,
because we were in debt greatly ourselves and I understood
the Church was in debt probably over a million dollars. I
said, “It seems ridiculous to talk that way," and argued
considerably against his statement.

He replied, “Will, I don't want to quarrel with you about
it, but I never had anything come to me with greater force
than the impression that came to me at this time, and all I
want you to do is to remember what I am saying."

So we did not discuss the matter further, but since he
had gained a testimony of the Gospel, he wanted to impress
his children with the same, and he had a strong feeling that he
was going to have a great responsibility placed upon his shoul¬
ders. He tried to impress his children that any money we
should get should be used wisely, for he thought it was being
shown to him for the purpose of doing good and building

4o THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

up the Church; he regarded the matter as a trusted steward¬
ship.

Father employed two miners, expert single-jack hammer
men. They were known throughout the camp as the best
mining men of the country. Their names were Thomas
Leatham and Thomas Mansfield.

About July, 1896, we began working in the old Humbug
tunnel which was then in probably 150 feet, it having been
driven thus far doing the assessment and patent work on the
property. We divided the shifts up into three. Father was
wheeling the rock from the tunnel in a wheelbarrow, often
bumping his knuckles on the sides of the tunnel as he pro¬
ceeded with his load. We three did the single-jack work about
eight hours at a shift. We had continued this work for perhaps
two months when one morning about three o'clock Mr.
Leatham came down from the mountain-side, having finished
his shift, bringing with him samples of lead ore, saying that he
had struck the vein. This greatly excited me, and I was up
bright and early the next morning rushing to the tunnel to
see the new strike.

Father came up the trail later, not feeling very much
excited, but simply having the impression that he had always
had— that the ore was there. He now felt that the time had
come to carry out the purposes of which he had talked to us
and others so much. He walked into the tunnel with his
wheelbarrow and loaded it with this rich ore. When he came
out with a load of ore, he dumped it on a small platform and
said, “l have done the last day's work that I ever expect to
do where I take another man's job from him." I expect to
give employment and make labor from now on for other
people." This statement was carried out literally, for thou¬
sands were employed after that by him. The strike was made
in August, 1896. And so he laid his plans, first building a
road up the mountainside, after which an ore house was

UNCLE JESSE’S STEWARDSHIP 41

erected and shipments soon made, and money accumulated
rapidly.

Father realized that he must take care of this wealth that
had come to him so suddenly. He said many times he was
only carrying out a stewardship which had been entrusted to
his care.

The second shipment of ore to the United States Smelting
company brought a return of $11,189.05. It assayed in gold,
3.8 oz.; silver, 175.1 oz.; lead, 34%; so one can see that this
ore was very rich right from the beginning.

The east side of the Godiva mountain was soon a great
sensation, caused by this new discovery. Father was very much
afraid that he had discovered the ore too soon, as he desired
to secure control of other properties on the east side of the
mountain in the vicinity of the Beck tunnel, Colorado, and
eastward. He was afraid this excitement would make the
properties so valuable that he would be unable to acquire them.
He also wished to get the northerly extension of the Humbug
vein system known as the Uncle Sam Claim.

As soon as money came into his possession he began
to buy up the east side of the Godiva mountain as he had
contemplated and was impressed to do. He purchased from
the McChrystals of Eureka, who were mining people, the
Uncle Sam claim, which adjoined their Godiva property, for
the sum of $25,000, payable in installments.

Upon taking possession he started another tunnel for the
purpose of developing the Uncle Sam claim. After this
tunnel had been projected into the mountain a distance of
300 feet under contract, an additional 50 ft, was let. He
went into the tunnel one day and said to Mr. John Roundy,
who was the superintendent, that he thought he ought to turn
the tunnel to the right. Mr. Roundy could see no particular
reason why he should turn the tunnel to the right, but in
compliance with “Uncle Jesse's” wishes, made the turn.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

He had only driven the drift a short distance to the right
when he encountered a rich body of lead ore, and this property
soon became one of the big producers. The ore taken from
this strike soon paid for the mine.

Money accumulated very rapidly as the ore in the Uncle
Sam mine was rich in silver and lead. He acquired the control
of what is known as the Beck Tunnel property and erected
machinery and sank a shaft thereon a distance of 300 feet.
Then he directed Mr. Roundy to run a drift to the east at
the bottom of the shaft, and in a short time another ore body
was encountered about 40 feet in width, rich and easily mined.

He later acquired the Colorado property which adjoined
the Beck Tunnel on the south. He began sinking a new
shaft on this property and building an ore house at the same
time, feeling certain that he would encounter the ore and
would save time by being ready for shipment. He was not
disappointed in his calculations in this venture. Both the
shaft and the ore bin seemed to be properly located, and
rich ore was soon on its way to the smelters. Mining properties
in that locality became valuable and not easily acquired, and
he had considerable difficulty in securing the Iron Blossom
property lying adjacent to the Colorado on the south. On
this property he sank a shaft, built an ore bin, and again this
“wizard” of the richly laden mountain was vindicated in his
impressions of the riches which lay hidden in the earth. His
faith grew stronger as time passed on and so he continued his
mining ventures.

The Dragon Mining Company property, which adjoined
the Iron Blossom property on the south, was later acquired
and developed by means of a tunnel driven in at the south
end of Godiva mountain where ore was found, thus proving
a continuous ore channel for a distance of over two miles.
From that same Godiva mountain he was successful in finding
rich ores in six different mining properties, and the wealth

UNCLE JESSE’S STEWARDSHIP

they produced netted the companies more than ten million
dollars. One can now walk through the empty chambers
from which the rich ore has been removed.

In order that one might gain a picture of just how the
rich ore bodies occurred in the mountain rocks, I shall de¬
scribe the Colorado vein as it was when it was first encountered
by means of a shaft which was sunk to the two hundred and
fifty foot level.

At this point we broke into a beautiful cave, the roof of
which was cemented tightly together with beautiful lime
crystals of every imaginable shape and color.

The bottom of the cave was solid carbonate lead-silver
ores that could easily be dug into with the toe of a boot.
The average width was about thirty feet and from forty to
fifty feet in thickness. One could walk in the cave a distance
of one thousand feet on top of this clean rich sand carbonate
ore that was free from waste, resembling in a way, wheat in a
bin ready for the market.

This ore was mined by means of a drift driven under¬
neath the ore, and raises made at various points allowing the
extraction of the ore with very little labor-costs or other
expense.

In the spring of 1897 the town °f Knightville was
rapidly being built by the employees of Uncle Jesse’s new
mines. The first home to be erected was built by Paris Boyle,
and others soon followed and in a short time a happy and
prosperous town was established.

One day Jesse Knight, coming from the mountain,
looked on the flat where Knightville was being settled and
was prompted to build a meeting house there, which he im¬
mediately did. It was used not only as a church but for
amusement recreations, giving the young people a place to
be entertained without going to Eureka, where so many
saloons and billiard halls existed. The first year or two the

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

same building was also used for a school house. Miss Fanny
McLean was the first teacher. In the beginning we had no
help from taxes for the school. A meeting was called for the
purpose of raising school funds and a vote was taken. The
unmarried men agreed to pay $2.00 each toward the teacher’s
salary. The next year a notice was received from the School
Board saying there were not enough children to get school
taxes from the county; so Jesse went to Diamond camp, eight
or ten miles distant, and hired Jim Higginson, whose family
consisted of a wife and eight children, to move over to Knight-
ville, and at once this entitled the camp to funds from the
county for school purposes.

Later a new school house was erected and maintained by
the county, where fine educational advantages were enjoyed.

A Church Ward organization was perfected, with John
Roundy as Bishop and Charles Reese and Perry Fuller as his
counselors. A new meeting house was built, and the ward
was soon leading the Church in religious activities, such as
attendance at meetings, payment of tithing, etc.

Perhaps the only mining camp at that time in the United
States where saloons did not exist was Knightville, and no
community seemed more united or happier.

Uncle Jesse Knight was fearless in his stand for the things
he thought fair and right. As an example, he paid his men
25c per day more than the regular wages in other mines,
doing the same kind of work in order that they might rest
Sundays without reduction in earnings.

He met bitter opposition from the operators in the State
and was dropped from the operators’ organization because
of his stand in these matters. A few years later other mines in
the Tintic District found it was good economy to let their
men have a day of rest, because they found men could do more
work in six days than seven, the day of rest giving them new
energy.

UNCLE JESSE’S STEWARDSHIP

Another mining rule he enforced was that those who
got drunk and spent their money for liquor should be dis¬
charged. He thought men who spent their money for liquor
robbed their families and endangered the lives of others. He
felt they were not worthy to receive money he had been
entrusted to do good with. This was no doubt the main
reason no saloons were ever operated in Knightville. Even
those employees of the mines in Knightville who might
have been inclined to patronize saloons did not greatly miss
them, as other places of recreation were provided. The
people of the little village were in perfect accord with Uncle
Jesse in all these uplifting measures, and were glad to establish
an amusement hall, building it out of an old saw mill. In this
hall various amusements were provided, such as dancing,
basketball, concerts, etc.

The community was friendly and socially inclined, and
had frequent house parties in which much talent abounded.

In the fall of 1906, during the peak of ore shipments
from the Knight mines in the Tintic Mining District, Father
was approached by a number of Ogden capitalists with a
proposition to build a smelting plant in the vicinity of the
mines. These gentlemen had previously commenced building
a smelter at Ogden but had discontinued work thereon. When
they came to him, Uncle Jesse was favorably inclined toward
the plan as it might be the means of reducing freight costs
and the heavy smelting treatment expense he was under,
and agreed to become a minority stockholder in the concern.
The Tintic Smelting Company was accordingly organized
with a capital stock of $500,000, and a contract was entered
into for the treatment of the Knight ores. The officers of
the company were as follows: President, Charles W. Nibley;
secretary, Henry H. Rolapp; treasurer, John Pingree; manager,
Bela Kadish. Mr. Kadish was a smelter man from Portland,
Oregon.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

A smelter site was chosen near Silver City, Utah, and con¬
struction work was soon commenced. The machinery at
Ogden was moved to the new site and stock credit was given
the members of the old company for the same. This credit,
however, was only a small part of their stock subscription.
When Mr. Knight had paid the entire amount of his subscrip¬
tion, he began to press the other stockholders for money in
payment of their dues. They pleaded, however, that they
were unable to meet these obligations. Not wishing to
institute court proceeding, Mr. Knight released the former
subscribers from the balance of their stock payments, and
assumed control of the plant himself.

The plant was completed and dedication services were
held July 24, 1908. Thousands were present from Salt Lake
City, Utah County, Tintic District and other localities. Many
beeves were barbecued and the multitude fed.

The smelter was in operation for only about one year,
the conditions being very unfavorable, due to the requirement
of fluxing ores from other mines, shipped in under heavy
freight rates for an up-hill haul.

As Mr. Knight put it, the railroads charged a high rate
for hauling the fluxing ore up hill and a high rate for hauling
the bullion down hill.

After securing more favorable long time ore contracts
from the valley smelters, Mr. Knight closed and dismantled
his smelter at Silver City. The Tintic Milling Company was
formed and a plant built on the smelter site, which operated
successfully under the management of George H. Dern, who
owned with Mr. Knight a patented process for the treatment
of low grade ores. Some four hundred thousand tons of ore
were treated under this process before the mill was closed,
most of the ores being from the Jesse Knight mines.

During the period of smelter construction Jesse Knight
built the Eureka Hill Railroad from the smelter to the mines,

UNCLE JESSE’S STEWARDSHIP

a distance of about six miles. This railroad was a very
profitable undertaking.

On December 6, 1909 was incorporated the Utah Ore
Sampling Company. This was a custom ore sampling con¬
cern which had plants originally at Silver City and Murray,
Utah. After the depletion of the large Knight producers in
Tintic, the Silver City mill was closed, leaving the Murray
plant still in operation. The authorized capital was $300,000.
It was controlled by the Knight interests until 1934. Until
that time it was one of the best paying enterprises owned by
the Knight interests. About $260,000 has been spent in late
years to completely modernize the plant. Under the able
management of Mr. E. G. Jensen, who was transferred from
the main office of the Knight Investment Company to the
Utah Ore Sampling Company, this organization has continued
to be a successful concern.

Father held mining property in Nevada and Colorado
and other mining districts in the state of Utah. He was per¬
haps at one time the largest owner of patented mining proper¬
ty in the intermountain region. The control of his mining
interests was under the direction of the Knight Investment
Company.

Whether or not Jesse Knight held all the mining prop¬
erty that was intended for him to hold under the message
that was given him on the mountain-side I cannot say, at
least he was most successful and did a great work for the
Church, the State, and for the Brigham Young University,
besides helping hundreds of people in the intermountain
country and Canada.

Chapter IX

STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

In the discharge of his duties as steward of the
newly-acquired wealth, Jesse Knight felt a sacred trust had
been given him.

Though a man of good judgment in practical affairs, he
was nevertheless humble, and frequently sought advice from
Church authorities and other friends, making him feel more
secure in the things he did. He had impressions come to him
in many of his affairs, but his impressions came to him not
while asleep, but at times when he was wide awake, pondering
sincerely on how he might best carry on in the future. Much
of his success was traceable to his faith in such impressions.
It is also true that in many of his affairs he did as others do,
exercised his best judgment, and sometimes made mistakes in
common with others.

A great many people approached him with their dreams,
having the idea that inasmuch as he had obtained his money
through dreams he would give them a sympathetic audience.
His answer to them in most cases was as follows: “If you
have had dreams about mines or anything else, you should go
ahead and carry them out if you have faith in them, for I
cannot carry out other people's dreams. They did not come
to me; therefore they belong to those who received them."

The big objective in his life was helping others rather
than making money for himself. Many times his beneficent
hand was extended to lift others out of distress and financial
difficulties. Most people found him an “easy mark" when
they came for contributions or personal assistance. In the
giving of help he found it very difficult to distinguish be¬
tween who were worthy and who were not.

STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

One morning as Father and Mr. Mangum were in the
office going over the day’s work an elderly woman from Eu¬
reka requested a private interview. Mr. Mangum stepped in¬
to another room only to be called right back by Father who
handed him a contract the woman had brought for his signa¬
ture. Father said: “Read this, Lester, and let’s see what the
lady wants.”

At the conclusion of the reading, father said, “Well, what
do you think of it?” Mr. Mangum remarked that it was very
good for the lady; she would get a lease and option for one
year on a group of patented mining claims without paying
anything for it. If she could sell the claims during the year,
for a profit, the option would be exercised, otherwise the
property would revert to the Knight Investment. The woman
remarked as much to herself as to her listeners, “Now would¬
n’t that beat you; my son told me to get Mr. Knight away
from his secretary, because when alone Uncle Jesse is an easy
mark.”

Father chuckled and said, “So that is what people think
of me, is it? Well I believe in living up to my reputation;
hand me a pen, Lester.”

Only those who knew him closely could fully appreciate
his unselfishness in things he planned and carried out. Wealth
was to him a stewardship, and he felt the tremendous respon¬
sibility, thereof. Many times I have seen him so humble re¬
garding financial matters that he would actually shed tears,
and asked help of his family and others in sharing the load that
was so heavy on his shoulders.

Some of the main events of father’s life were so different
from the ordinary affairs of life that they are difficult to con¬
vey to others. You may feel the spirit of another person while
with him, but to convey that feeling to others is difficult.

Jesse Knight did not believe in carrying large sums of
money in the bank. As soon as money came to him from

5°

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

mining properties he made use of it. If it did not come in
fast enough, he borrowed more.

One of his first expenditures was the payment of back
tithing. During his days of indifference to the Church he
had paid no tithing. Now he made a liberal estimate of what
he owed and paid it with interest. About this time, Presi¬
dent Lorenzo Snow was urging the Saints to pay their tithing,
and promised them forgiveness for past short comings if they
would pay their present tithing dues. Jesse Knight would
not accept such forgiveness for dereliction, but insisted on
paying his back tithing to the fullest extent.

This done, he began looking about to see how he could
magnify his stewardship in helping those in need. He began
by making gifts and small loans on easy terms, but soon found
that such a direct method was not the best way of truly help¬
ing people. He concluded it would be better and wiser to
establish industries, bolster up existing concerns, and other¬
wise provide employment. He was also interested in further¬
ing education, especially along religious lines as exemplified in
his contributions to Brigham Young University.

One of Jesse Knight's early ventures was the purchase in
1897 old East Co-op store in Provo from the creditors.

It had been incorporated under the co-operative system since
April 1, 1871, following a preliminary organization December
4, 1868. The plan of co-operation had been advised by Presi¬
dent Brigham Young at the L. D. S. October Conference in
1868. Provo people were the first to act on the suggestion
and the Provo store was the first co-operative establishment in
Utah. This historic store building will be remembered by
many of the older people of Utah. It was a great business
center for the people of the County. The Company conduct¬
ed a general mercantile business, including groceries, hard¬
ware, implements, dry-goods, etc., which they sold for cash,
credit, or exchange for other products.

STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

Selling on credit was largely the cause of the Co-op Com¬
pany's being obliged to go out of business. After Father pur¬
chased the store, he operated it for a short time under the
management of Edward Partridge and others and finally con¬
cluded to liquidate.

The Knight Block now occupies the location where the
Co-op store once stood, this splendid building having been
erected in 1900. At that time it was considered the most im¬
posing business structure in Provo. It was used as office
building for the Knight Investment Company's mining busi¬
ness and the Schwab Clothing Store. Later it was deeded to
his daughter, Inez Knight Allen, and is now occupied by the
Walgreen Drug Company on the main floor, with well ar¬
ranged offices on the two upper floors. By some it is called
the “Clock Corner," as the tower contained the first public
clock in Provo. The old clock has recently been replaced
with a new one installed by the Utah Oil Refining Company.

Chapter X

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

s the twentieth century dawned, money from
Uncle Jesse’s mines was pouring into his coffers, and he began
looking around for a favorable opportunity' to exercise his
stewardship. Already strong in his desire to render sendee to
humanity he received further stimulation from President
Lorenzo Snow’s new century “Greeting to the World.” One
paragraph from this marvelous message was especially impres¬
sive; he felt that it was a direct appeal to him:

Men and women of wealth, use your riches to give employ¬
ment to the laborer! Take the idle from the crowded centers
of population and place them on the untilled areas that await
the hand of industry. Unlock your vaults, unloose your purses,
and embark in enterprises that will give work to the unem¬
ployed, and relieve the wretchedness that leads to the vice and
crime which curse your great cities, and that poison the moral
atmosphere around you. Make others happy, and you will be
happy yourselves. * * *

Among the many propositions that were brought to his
attention was one from Apostle John W. Taylor and Charles
McCarthy of Alberta, telling him of the rich land in Alberta,
Canada, and urging him to buy. The scheme appealed to
him and he sent his two sons, Raymond and Will, to Canada,
to make an investigation. While there they contacted Hon¬
orable C. A. Magrath, who had served as a member of the
Canadian Parliament, and was a person of the highest quali¬
ties of character. He was well acquainted with the country',
and represented the Canadian North-West Irrigation Com¬
pany. He accompanied the young men back to Salt Lake
City.

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

The following account of their visit to Alberta and the
return to Salt Lake City is quoted from Mr. MagratlTs book,
“The Gaits:”

In January, 1901, two young men, Raymond and William
Knight, came north from Utah and spent a short time looking
over the country east of Cardston. I met them when passing
through Lethbridge on their way home and decided to accom¬
pany them south as there seemed a possibility of disposing of
some land when they met their father. I got off the train at
Salt Lake City and they continued to Provo, returning the
next morning with their father, Jesse Knight — a man for
whom I afterwards learned to have the highest respect. Mr.
Knight was very direct. I was asked to produce a map and the
sons were called upon to show him the lands that they had
examined, which happened to be a block of some 30,000 acres
near Spring Coulee. He then asked them a few questions
about the character of the land. Both agreed it was wonderful
grass country, but the younger one feared there was something
wrong, as he could not understand there being so much grass
without cattle to eat it. Turning to me, he wanted our price
and terms. I believe our figure was $2.50 per acre and all I was
expecting was the possibility of a sale of two sections, of 1280
acres. To my utter amazement, he said: “I will take the entire
block/’ and I believe the whole transaction did not take half
an hour. That property afterwards became the — K-2 Ranch.

(Bar Kay Two Ranch.)

As related by Mr. Magrath, Father purchased 30,000 acres
near Spring Coulee in Alberta, Canada. Ray and I went to
Canada at once, and before long had purchased 4,000 head of
yearling steers and placed them on the new ranch land recent¬
ly secured.

It might be of interest to relate somewhat in detail just
how these cattle were purchased. After deciding that we
would buy 2,000 head of steers, Ray Knight and Dick Kinsey
went to Winnepeg to purchase them. The cattle were re¬
ceived at the railroad stockyards east of Lethbridge where our
camp was located. A small crew of men awaited the arrival

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

of the shipments. We unloaded and branded the cattle soon
after they arrived. They came in train lots, generally in rather
bad condition on account of having been on the train so many
hours without food or water. To make the task of unloading
more difficult the cattle generally came after midnight and
in a rainstorm. As soon as the cattle arrived they were un¬
loaded, watered, and allowed to graze on the prairie before
they were brought back to the chutes for branding with
“-K2”

The cattle had to be held in separate herds night and
day on the open prairie as there were no fenced fields to hold
them, and our ranch was thirty miles away. To do this was
difficult. Some of the men had to keep the branded cattle
from the unbranded ones which were coming in every few
days. Our Utah horses and men were completely worn out
on account of the strenuous work they had to do night and
day. Our bedding was damp; the water and slush in the cor¬
rals was almost ankle deep, and yet the train loads of cattle
continued to arrive at all hours of the night. We had al¬
ready received over 2,000 head of cattle that Ray had pur¬
chased, but they continued to come, increasing our difficulty
each day.

In the midst of all this, one night, most of the Utah
horses got away and started for the states. Wilson McCarthy,
an employee, then a mere lad, volunteered to find the lost
horses. He left in a great hurry. We did not see him again
until late the next night, but when he returned he brought
back the horses. This experience for a young man was enough
to discourage most adult persons. After finding the horses
late at night over thirty miles from camp, he corralled them
and crawled into a straw stack for shelter and rest, while
waiting for morning to come. He had been without food or
dry clothing all this time. Soon after this incident he re¬
ceived a letter from his mother asking him to come home,

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

because she feared so much exposure to the rains would bring
on pneumonia. He showed me the letter, and asked what
he should do about it. I told him, I thought he should take
his mother s advice. His experiences were certainly enough
to daunt almost any man but not Wilson McCarthy. After
considering the matter for a short time he said, “Will, there
is too much Irish in me to quit you now in the midst of all
your difficulties/' His stand made a lasting impression upon
me; he was the best help we had. Wilson McCarthy is now
receiver of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, and
has held many other prominent positions, all of which hon¬
ors, I believe he justly deserves.

Coming back to the receiving of the cattle, it was a hap¬
py time when Dick Kinsey arrived with a shipment from
Winnepeg. Finding the trouble we were in, he immediately
wired Ray to let up buying and come at once and help take
care of the 4,000 head already purchased.

Ray Knight was much like his father in spending money
when the business deal looked good; there seemed to be no
limit.

This was our first investment in the cattle business in
Canada. Our ranch, the Bar-K-2, was located about fifteen
miles east of Cardston where a large home with bunkhouse,
sheds, corrals, ice house, cellar, coops and other equipment
were erected and gathered under my supervision. This
ranching business was enlarged and finally became the most
extensive cattle ranch in Canada.

This first ranch holding consisted of a township and a
half of land which was enclosed with a four-wire fence and
then subdivided into various fields. The gentle rolling hills
were covered with tall grass and wild prairie flowers of various
colors. In the coolies, small streams, placid lakes and prairie
lands were found wild duck, geese and prairie chickens in

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

abundance; antelope, the coyote and other small furred ani¬
mals also furnished sport for the hunters.

With President Snow’s message clearly in mind supple¬
menting his own desire to take definite steps in the discharge
of his stewardship duties, Jesse Knight went to Alberta, Can¬
ada, in the spring of 1901.

He desired to see for himself the lands he had purchased
and visit his two sons, who had already begun ranching in a
rather large way.

Father Knight was met by his sons and J. W. Taylor, who
was interested in the selling of lands for the Irrigation Com¬
pany. He took Father over the vast country for his inspection.

The weather was ideal and the country was beautiful and
green. It looked like a real paradise after the heavy rains of
that spring. Father had been there only a few days when he
seemed to have a clear vision of what he wished to do, and
without consultation or fear of the outcome, he entered into
a contract on July 10, 1901 with the Canadian Northwest
Irrigation Company and the Alberta Railway & Irrigation
Company to purchase an additional 226,000 acres of land,
and build a beet sugar factory, to have the same ready for
operations to handle the beet crops of 1903 and keep it in
operation for twelve years. This agreement was guaranteed
with a pledge of $50,000.

Following the signing of the contract a townsite was
located on a vast prairie and named “Raymond” after Father’s
oldest son. Jesse Knight insisted that the town charter con¬
tain a forfeiture clause to the effect that if liquor or gambling
houses, or places of ill-fame were established on the premises,
the property holders would forfeit title to the land.

The town of Raymond grew very rapidly, for in less than
two years there were over fifteen hundred people settled
there. Homes were springing up daily and it was difficult to
get lumber and material fast enough to meet the demand of

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

the new settlers. The price of lumber was very reasonable,
selling as low as $14.00 to $17.00 per thousand, and nearly all
homes built were constructed of this material.

A church which was built by Jesse Knight and school
house were among the first buildings erected. Charley Mc¬
Carthy and T. O. King were among the first to build mer¬
cantile stores. A church organization was perfected and J.
Wm. Knight was chosen as the Raymond ward’s first Bishop,
with Joseph Bevans and Ephraim Hicks as counselors.

There was no one out of work in Raymond as the sugar
factory was under construction and homes, stores and build¬
ings of various kinds were being erected in the new town.
Everyone was hopeful and happy. The settlers were largely
young couples who had completed college courses in Utah
and were anxious to get a good location for a home. A most
stimulating atmosphere prevailed among the people. It was
not long before babies began to arrive in the new town; in
February, 1902, Jessie Nielsen, a girl, was born, named in
honor of the founder, and on March 16, 1902, Raymond
Holbrook was born and named after the town.

One of the big undertakings was the preparing of the
sod lands for beet culture. Three thousand acres had been
promised to be ready for beet planting by Jesse Knight; so
he immediately began hiring men with teams and ploughs to
do the work, paying them $2.50 per acre for ploughing. As
dry weather came on, ploughing got more difficult, and Mr.
Knight raised the price to $3.00 per acre on his own volition
and finally was obliged to send his son, Ray, to Utah for
larger teams and ploughs to help with the work. Ray was
only away a few weeks when he returned with a train load
of heavy horses and equipment, and the ploughing was com¬
pleted on time.

The three thousand acres, after being ploughed, were
surveyed into 10 acre tracts, and each family was allowed to

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

buy one tract at ten dollars per acre. The terms were liberal,
no payment being required for the first three years; at the
end of that time Father thought they could commence pay¬
ing from the crops they raised.

Jesse Knight advanced the money to build a big com¬
munity fence around a large tract of land to protect the crops
from being destroyed by the livestock, and in many other
ways he was generous to those needing help. He was indeed
the poor man's friend.

Fay Holbrook tells of an interesting comment made by
Jesse Knight to him one night as they sat in the big tent at
the dining table after the working men had retired: “I wish,"
said Uncle Jesse, "I might go to bed as the men have done, but
I cannot until I have something planned for them to do to¬
morrow. I have tried all my life to keep my plans ahead of
my work."

The people who were attracted to Raymond were most¬
ly on limited means, and had many difficulties to contend
with on that account. The climate was changeable, winters
sometimes were so cold and windy that it took a sturdy class
of people, as most of our Utah people are, to do good pioneer¬
ing.

It was difficult for the Canadian officials to understand
Jesse Knight and his motives. On one occasion, at a meet¬
ing of officials, he was asked by them what impelled him to
come there to build a sugar factory and spend so much money
in that country, and in answer he reached into his pocket and
pulled out the proclamation issued by President Lorenzo
Snow which he regarded so highly that he carried it around
with him, and asked that it be read. After the reading he
said to them. "Gentlemen, this was a direct message to me,
and it is also a message to you and to every employer and man
of wealth. The men all seemed to be deeply impressed with

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

the proclamation and the sincerity of Jesse Knight in accept¬
ing it.

The message of President Snow follows:

GREETINGS TO THE WORLD

A new century dawns upon the world today. The hundred
years just completed were the most momentous in the history
of man upon this planet. It would be impossible in a hundred
days to make even a brief summary of the notable events, the
marvelous developments, the grand achievements and the
beneficial inventions and discoveries, which mark the progress
of the ten decades now left behind in the ceaseless march
of humanity. The very mention of the Nineteenth Century
suggests advancement, improvement, liberty and light. Happy
are we to have lived amidst its wonders and shared in the
riches of its treasures of intelligence.

The lessons of the past century should have prepared us
for the duties and glories of the opening era. It ought to be the
age of peace, of greater progress, of the universal adoption of
the golden rule. The barbarism of the past should be buried.

War with its horrors should be a memory. The aim of nations
should be fraternity and mutual greatness. The welfare of
humanity should be studied in stead of the enrichment of a
race or the extension of an empire. Awake, ye monarchs of
the earth and rulers among nations, and gaze upon the scene
on which the early rays of the rising Millennial day gild the
morn of the Twentieth Century! The power is in your hands
to pave the way for the coming King of Kings, whose dominion
will be over all the earth. Disband your armies; turn your
weapons of strife into implements of industry; take the yoke
from the necks of the people, arbitrate your disputes; meet in
royal congress, and plan for union instead of conquest, for the
banishment of poverty, for the uplifting of the masses, and for
the health, wealth, enlightenment and happiness of all tribes
and peoples and nations. Then shall the Twentieth Century
be to you the glory of your lives and the lustre of your crowns,
and posterity shall sing your praises, while the Eternal One
shall place you on high among the mighty.

Ye toiling millions who, in the sweat of your faces, earn
your daily bread, look up and greet the power from above
which shall lift you from bondage! The day of your redemption

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

draweth nigh. Cease to waste your wages in that which helps
to keep you in want. Regard not wealth as your enemy and
your employers as your oppressors. Seek for the union of capital
and labor. Be provident when in prosperity. Do not become a
prey to designing men who seek to stir up strife for their own
selfish ends. Strive for your rights by lawful means, and desist
from violence and destruction. Anarchism and lawlessness are
your deadly foes. Dissipation and vice are chains that bind you
to slavery. Freedom is coming for you, its light approaches as
the century dawns.

Men and women of wealth, use your riches to give employ¬
ment to the laborer! Take the idle from the crowded centers
of population and place them on the untilled areas that await
the hand of industry. Unlock your vaults, unloose your
purses, and embark in enterprises that will give work to the un¬
employed, and relieve the wretchedness that leads to the vice
and crime which curse your great cities, and that poison the
moral atmosphere around you. Make others happy, and you
will be happy yourselves. * * * *

In the eighty-seventh year of my age on earth, I feel full
of earnest desire for the benefit of humanity. I wish all a Happy
New Year. I hope and look for grand events to occur in the
Twentieth Century. At its auspicious dawn, I lift my hands
and invoke the blessings of heaven upon the inhabitants of the
earth. May the sunshine from above smile upon you. May the
treasures of the ground and the fruits of the soil be brought
forth freely for your good. May the light of truth chase dark¬
ness from your souls. May righteousness increase and iniquity
diminish as the years of the century roll on. May justice
triumph and corruption be stamped out. And may virtue and
chastity and honor prevail, until evil shall be overcome and the
earth shall be cleansed from wickedness. Let these sentiments,
as the voice of the “Mormons” in the mountains of Utah, go
forth to the whole world, and let all people know that our wish
and our mission are for the blessing and salvation of the entire
human race. May the Twentieth Century prove the happiest
as it will be the grandest of all the ages of time, and may God
be glorified in the victory that is coming over sin and sorrow
and misery and death. Peace be unto you all!

The story of the Knight operations in Canada as told by

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

Mr. Magrath, the man with whom he had such extensive
business relations, presents an interesting point of view:

Mr. Knight came up early in the following spring. I
happened to meet him on the train in, I believe, April, and
when we were in the neighborhood of the present town of
Raymond, he said something about visualizing a fine settlement
there and associated his son's name with it. On the 28th of
May he called on me, and made a proposal to personally
undertake the erection of a beet sugar factory, which was an
amazing thing to come from a single individual. Elliott Galt
was not in Lethbridge at the time and I felt our English direc¬
tors would not regard the proposal seriously unless Mr. Knight
put up a substantial deposit as a guarantee of good faith. To
my request for $50,000, he immediately complied. His pro¬
posal called for some amendments which were worked out by
Elliott Galt and myself with Mr. Knight in Salt Lake City
about the middle of June. It is true our company gave him very
substantial land concessions. He undertook to plough during
the autumn 3,000 acres of our lands to be ready for new settlers
in the coming season, and the factory was to be completed in
time for the manufacturing of sugar in the autumn of 1903,
as it was.

Lieutenant-Governor Forget at Regina, to whom, at his
request, I sent my file of papers on the second of October,
1903, showing the various steps in bringing about beet sugar
culture in Southern Alberta, replied: ‘I have read the whole
with much interest and I wonder more than ever at the spirit
of enterprise displayed by the promoters — the Knights — in
establishment of such an industry in a new country, and I
sincerely wish them every possible success.'

My opinion is that Southern Alberta should never forget
what it owes to Jesse Knight, because I happen to know from
actual efforts, how impossible it was to get capital interested
in such an enterprise in a new and sparsely settled country like
our northwest until Mr. Knight came along. I question if there
would be a sugar beet grown in Alberta today if it were not for
Jesse Knight and the good will that existed between his Church
leaders and our Irrigation Company.

Mr. Knight was the most unusual man I ever met, a man
of the finest integrity. I would describe him as the poor man's
friend. He believed in visions, which I understand is a doctrine

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

of the Mormon Church. He was a mining prospector in Utah
and it has been stated that the mine which brought him very
considerable wealth came to him through a vision, in effect,
that if he had the courage to continue prospecting, he would
be rewarded, but that he should use his wealth largely for the
good of the people, which I believe he did.

The Raymond Sugar Factory was not built as a commercial
enterprise so much as for the benefit of the settlers in the sur¬
rounding country. I am aware that on one occasion when com¬
ing up from the south, he got off at Stirling and while walking
around the little settlement he saw some men engaged in drill¬
ing for water taking out their equipment. He asked if they had
found water, and the reply was in the negative. When he
wished to know why they were abandoning the hole, the answer
was that they had fulfilled their contract with the Northwest
government, and he thereupon undertook to pay them to drill
another fifty feet. There are several such unusual acts that I
could recite to the credit of Jesse Knight.

As stated by Mr. Magrath the Raymond Sugar Factory
was not built as a commercial enterprise so much as a benefit
for the settlers of the surrounding country. According to the
contract it was to be kept in operation for twelve years. This
was done although the factory did not prove to be as great a
success as had been hoped, for various reasons. At first it
seemed more desirable for the settlers to raise wheat and run
cattle on the range than to grow sugar beets, a process with
which most of the farmers were unfamiliar. There was there¬
fore a shortage of sugar beets for the factory. However, the
beets produced were rich in saccarine content, and sufficient
sugar was produced that when it was put on the market it
antagonized the Vancouver sugar refining interests, which
sought to crush the new company by underselling in the
localities supplied by the Raymond factory. This unfair
competition was soon stopped when it was called to the at¬
tention of the Dominion Government which promptly noti¬
fied the Vancouver interests that they must maintain uni¬
form prices in all localities supplied with sugar.

THE STEWARDSHIP IN CANADA

The action of the Government was prompted by its de¬
sire for the success of the factory as it was the means of de¬
veloping the country and giving employment to the people.
Through its desire for the success of the factory, it paid a
bonus of 50 cents per hundred pounds of sugar to be divided
equally between the beet growers and the factory. It further
eliminated all taxes on the plant during the twelve year period
of the contract.

While Jesse Knight did not spend much of his time in
Canada during the construction of the Sugar Factory and the
settlement of Raymond he was fortunate in having men like
Ephraim P. Ellison of Layton, Utah, as manager of the
Knight Sugar Company, for a number of years. Mr. Ellison's
exceptional business ability, good judgment, and dependable
qualities made him a valuable man. He was always on hand
to give his best efforts to the company's interests. Another
helpful man was James Ririe of Magrath, who looked after
the sheep industry for the Sugar Company. His untiring ef¬
forts were of great value to the company in directing the care
of some 40,000 sheep in a country of cold winters and chang¬
ing climate. Ray Knight supervised the cattle interests. R.
E. Allen, who was secretary of the Knight Sugar Company,
was familiar with the sheep business as well as company af¬
fairs, and rendered valuable service in the handling of the
company's problems. Mention could be made of many loyal
ones in Canada who rallied to the support of the Sugar Com¬
pany in the raising of sugar beets and in other ways. It takes
real pioneers with courage, thrift, and good judgment to cope
with such problems as confronted the settlers of Alberta,
Canada, but let it be said to the credit of those who have
been prudent, that they are prosperous.

Notwithstanding the generosity of the Canadian Gov¬
ernment, the able management of Ephraim P. Ellison, Ray¬
mond Knight and others and the favorable conditions other-

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

wise, it seemed impossible to get the farmers to grow sugar
beets in sufficient quantity to make the industry profitable.

Shortly after the twelve-year period had expired, there¬
fore, the factory was moved to Cornish, Utah. The effort,
however, had not been in vain as after the war, when grain
raising, due to drouth and falling prices, proved less profitable,
the farmers began to irrigate their lands and clamored for
another factory. The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company responded
to the appeal, and built a large plant near the site of the first.
This was bought out by Vancouver interests and proved so
profitable that in 1936 a second factory was built at Picture
Butte, Alberta.

The first Church school to be built in Canada was at
Raymond, Alberta, now known as the Knight Academy. For
further particulars refer to Encyclopedic History of the
Church, by Andrew Jenson, 1941.

Chapter XI

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES AND OTHER
ENTERPRISES

JLhough opposed by expert opinion Jesse
Knight did not for a moment hesitate in his efforts in the
development of his first mine. He had received a mandate
from Heaven; that mandate he heeded and that only. It
must not be inferred from this event, however, that he receiv¬
ed inspiration for all his performances. In most instances
he acted on his own initiative and responsibility, and some¬
times made mistakes. It was necessary for him as for others,
in the great economy of life and eternity, to develop his
powers of judgment and action through experience. That
mistakes should be made was of minor consideration, al¬
though it is not always a simple matter to determine
whether or not a mistake has been made.

In the beginning of his career as a man of affairs most
of Jesse Knight’s ventures were in mining property, but as
money accumulated he began to invest in industrial and other
enterprises. To secure co-ordination of all his holdings and
to place responsibility on the members of his family, he ef¬
fected the organization of the Knight Investment Company.
It so happened that this important organization was com¬
pleted on the sixty-first anniversary of his birth, September 6,
1906. It was capitalized for $100,000, distributed into one
hundred thousand shares with the par value $1.00. To
each of his living children was given ten thousand shares,
while to his wife and himself went the remaining fifty thou¬
sand shares. All of Jesse Knight’s property, real and personal,
was transferred to this holding company, and all future busi¬
ness was transacted through this organization, Jesse Knight
directing its interests.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Some eighty corporations were eventually brought with¬
in the scope of the Knight Investment Company. To tell the
story of all these corporations is probably unnecessary; a
number of the important ones have received consideration
and will serve as examples of the group.

On May 28, 1910, the Knight Consolidated Power Com¬
pany was organized with a capital stock of $2,000,000 divided
into 10,000 shares with a par value of $200 per share. The
officers and directors were as follows: President, Jesse Knight;
vice president, secretary and treasurer, R. E. Allen; directors,
J. W. Knight, W. Lester Mangum, Moroni Smith, Francis
M. Lyman, Jr., John P. Cahoon, Melvin M. Miller, David D.
Brinton. There were seven plants, six of them located in can¬
yons as follows: two in Mill Creek, two in American Fork,
one in Santaquin, and one in Snake Creek; and the seventh at
Hail Stone on Provo River. R. E. Allen was general manager,
A. P. Merrill, engineer, and Leonard Wilson, consulting
engineer. These plants gave service chiefly to various mining
and industrial concerns, including Jesse Knight's mines and
smelter at Tintic. On October 12, 1912, the Knight Invest¬
ment Company and other stockholders disposed of these sev¬
en plants to the Electric Bond and Share Company. Jesse
Knight drew a draft on that company for $1,892,083.75 of
which the amount coming to the Knight Investment company
was $1,033,214. After receiving this amount, he turned to
Fred Warnick, secretary of the Power Company, and asked:
“How much have I made on the deal." “About $300,000,"
answered Fred; whereupon father directed his treasurer to
make a check for $30,000. This was done, the check bearing
the date, October 16, 1912 was sent to the Church. The in¬
cident served as an illustration of the promptness with which
he made his tithing payments.

“Now I am worried," he said after the completion of the
deal; “this money will pay all my debts and leave me cash in

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

the bank; what shall I do with it?” His worries, however,
were soon over; in about twenty-four hours he had found
another investment and was borrowing more money.

BONNEVILLE MINING COMPANY

Jesse Knight was ever ready to seize opportunity by the
forelock and if she did not put in an appearance he began
hunting for her. But opportunity is not always easily recog¬
nized. Long experience had made Jesse Knight so keen of
vision that he could discover opportunity where other men
were blind to her appearance.

Not only was Jesse Knight alert to present opportunities,
but he was continually on the watch for those of the future.

As an illustration of this, the organization of the Bonne¬
ville Mining Company may be cited. This company com¬
menced its operations in 1910 by securing mining title to a
large tract of ground located on the mountainside just east
of the present Columbia Steel Plant. Into the mountain a
tunnel was driven for a distance of over one mile with the
object of striking ore or developing underground water
sufficient to justify this investment. Such possibilities seem¬
ed rather remote, but father did not let doubt check this
undertaking, for he maintained if neither ore nor water was
discovered he was doing good by giving employment to many
men who had worked for him in his Tintic properties but
were now unemployed on account of age or infirmity. He
said, cannot fail because this employment brings happiness
and does good to so many worthy families. While the tunnel
work was in progress he began the construction of a high line
boulevard between Provo and Springville beautifying it with
English walnut trees, grape vines, and a concrete waterway.
But he was unable to complete the project as outlined. This
splendid undertaking should be carried out, affording a scenic
driveway between the two cities and giving work to those who
need employment.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Jesse Knight had the vision to hold as an industrial site
the very ground now occupied by the present Columbia Steel
plant. He would indeed be happy to see this great company
now giving employment to so many people. Jesse Knight
had visualized many industrial plants located between Provo
and Springville where men could have the comforts of a
good home environment by living so near to their work. These
things he had worked for and discussed many times with
others. In 1915 he had contacted eastern manufacturers in
regard to establishing a pigiron plant in Utah. He realized
Utah had great resources, and was hopeful that the hand of
industry would come to develop them.

KNIGHT WOOLEN MILLS

In June, 1910, Jesse Knight purchased the Provo Woolen
Mills, an institution organized June 1, 1869, under the direc¬
tion of Brigham Young and leading men in Provo, for the
purpose of encouraging home industry, giving employment to
the people, and making use of the products of the country.
With these same worthy objects in view, Jesse Knight, in
co-operation with Church interests, continued the operation
of the mills for a number of years with little or no profit, but
giving employment to some two hundred people.

On July 19, 1918 occurred a disastrous fire, the main
building of the woolen mills, a well built four story rock
structure, and an adobe building in close proximity being
destroyed. Only the smoke stack, one adobe building, and
the brick weaving rooms remained standing. The employees,
many of whom had worked in the mills all their lives and did
not know where other employment could be found, were
panic stricken, and pleaded with Uncle Jesse to continue the
operation of the mills that they might have employment. His
heart was touched by their appeals and he called a meeting
of the directors, who decided to construct a new building,
make necessary repairs, and resume operation.

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

It was a great disappointment to him and other local
stockholders when Bishop C. W. Nibley gave an option on
the Church's stock in Knight Woolen Mills to Charles Ot-
tenheimer, thus changing the stock control and the directing
head of this institution and bringing about its ultimate clos¬
ing.

Though the Woolen Mills was not a very profitable
business for its stockholders, Jesse Knight always maintained
that so long as he had the say, he did not want to see it shut
down as such a step would throw out of employment over
two hundred people who were skilled in the work of the mills
but not in other occupations. Great suffering would be
caused, and the business of the community would be serious¬
ly affected.

Many employees will remember the late John Smith and
his efficient management of the Knight Mills. When such
worthy men and fine institutions pass from our midst, they
are indeed missed.

ELLISON RANCHING COMPANY

The Ellison Ranching Company was organized in 1910.
The Ellisons were the prime movers in this organization and
were joined by the Knight interests, which acquired a majority
of the stock. The company was capitalized for $1,000,000,
divided into ten thousand shares of $100 each. The corpora¬
tion property consisted of a number of fine ranches in Ne¬
vada, stocked with cattle, sheep, and horses. Under the
management of Ephraim P. Ellison the company was highly
successful until 1930, when it was adversely affected by the
depression and it became necessary to levy an assessment on
the stockholders. Unable to pay the assessment some of the
largest stockholders lost their holdings. Some time was re¬
quired to put the company on its feet again, but is now again
on the road to prosperity. Morris H. Ellison and his son,
Stanley, are managing the company's affairs.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

SPRING CANYON COAL COMPANY

Spring Canyon Coal Company was organized in 1912
by Jesse Knight, giving additional employment to over 200
men. He had acquired 2000 acres of valuable coal lands in
Carbon County, principally in Township 13 South, Range 9
East, with some timber lands in Township 12 South, Range
8 East, and also a tipple and Townsite with water rights.

George A. Storrs was given full authority as Mr. Knight's
representative, to go ahead and open up the coal property.
He began at once with his engineers and construction men
to lay the townsite, which was named “Storrs,” as father
felt this name appropriate on account of the active part taken
by his friend.

The coal mine and plant were established at Storrs, Car¬
bon County, Utah. Jesse Knight constructed the branch line
from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, running up
Spring Canyon, leaving the main line near the town of Help¬
er, a divisional point about 119 miles southeast of Salt Lake
City. This four-mile branch line was taken over by the Den¬
ver and Rio Grande Railway Company soon after it was com¬
pleted, and that company allowed the same freight rates to
apply from Storrs as from Helper.

The town of Storrs was modern, with good substantial
houses, constructed of sand stone, with water system, sewerage
and other modern conveniences in most of the homes. Good
school houses, a store building, a church house and other in¬
viting conditions were there, making the place attractive,
where a substantial class of citizens located. Saloons or
gambling places were not allowed in the town as Jesse
Knight was opposed to all such places of vice.

The company owned the lands and would not sell or
lease any of their property for any undesirable purpose.

The coal company began its first shipping in May, 1913,

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

and soon became a large producer, ranking about fourth in
the State's output of coal. The coal was brought down from
the mine portal at first, by means of a bucket tram, which did
not prove successful. It was later replaced by a gravity tram
line, with a modern tipple capable of handling over two
thousand tons per day.

The seams varied in thickness from four to fourteen
feet. The quality was excellent, being hard bituminous coal
with high heat units, lasting well in the furnace and giving
off but a small percentage of ash and waste.

The cost of properly opening up and equipping a mine
of this capacity was over a million dollars. With the con¬
stant improvements in mining methods and new equipment
required to keep up to date, the expenditures were extremely
high. It was difficult for the company to realize any earnings.

Coal business in Utah is not very attractive as there are
so many operating mines, competition so keen, seasons short,
and overhead expenses high.

The seams of coal are mined under a well planned sys¬
tem by driving ahead the main haulage-ways so as to allow side
entries to be run in opposite directions, bringing all the coal
to the main haulage-way. In removing the coal, rooms are
formed, by leaving heavy pillars of coal to support the roof.
When the working of a coal mine are mapped, it resembles a
city cut into blocks. When the entries reach the extreme
lines of the property, the coal is then mined by pulling the
pillars, commencing at the extreme end from the entries and
working backward toward the outside opening of the property
and allowing the mine to cave-in as the pillars are drawn.

Coal mining is a hazardous business on account of gas
explosions, mine dust, and bad air. In order to overcome
such difficulties, expensive equipment is required, such as
big air blowers, sprinkling systems, rock dusting machinery,
electric battery-lamps, and shot firing systems for blasting

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

the coal; extra mine inspectors and other safety devices are all
necessary to make coal mining safe.

The immense payrolls for labor, supplies and equipment,
spent by this industry were and still are a great help to the
people of Utah. Those who have the courage to launch out
in such business enterprises deserve much praise.

The Knight Investment Company and their associates
disposed of their interests in the Spring Canyon Coal Com¬
pany to James B. Smith and associates of San Francisco, in
1922; they are still operating it.

BLUE BENCH DISTRICT

In 1913 the settlers of Uintah Valley in eastern Utah or¬
ganized the Blue Bench Irrigation District No. 1. The dis¬
trict is located on what is known as the Blue Bench in Duch¬
esne County and includes approximately 8,000 acres.

To build an irrigation system and supply water for the
district, bonds were issued in the sum of $155,000. After try¬
ing unsuccessfully for several years to make the project self-
supporting the landowners in 1916 appealed to Jesse Knight
to come to their assistance. The Knight family did not believe
the scheme had intrinsic merit and were very much opposed
to Mr. Knight's advancing money in the enterprise. But the
distress of the district farmers touched his heart and he dis¬
regarded all opposition, and advanced money not only for the
purchase of the bonds but also to buy the holdings of the
farmers. The heavy obligation that had rested on the shoulders
of the farmers had now fallen on the broad shoulders of Jesse
Knight.

To get something out of his investment he equipped the
place for growing alfalfa, and hired men, some of them the
former land owners, to do the necessary work. Eventually
3500 acres were brought under cultivation. Ten thousand
sheep were bought and a large tract of grazing land in the

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

Uintah Mountains purchased. In addition grazing permits
were secured for more land. On the Blue Bench lands shear¬
ing sheds and lambing pens were built, making one of the
best equipped sheep ranches in the west. The Uintah Moun¬
tains were thus made to serve as a summer range and the
Blue Bench land as a winter and spring feeding and lambing
place. For several years while the price of sheep, lambs, and
wool was high and the canal in faitly good condition, the
enterprise practically paid its way. Then came a depression
that brought down the price of sheep, lambs and wool. The
warping, rotting, and breaking of canal timbers produced
leaks, which in turn caused washouts of clay and serious
breaks in the canal. With these attendant difficulties to con¬
tend with, profits became losses. As the Knight mines were
no longer supplying the needed revenue, the sheep had to be
disposed of at a low price and the project abandoned.

But while the ranch was still operating under the manage¬
ment of R. E. Allen, Jesse Knight had turned bonds, consist¬
ing of $100,000 worth of Blue Bench Irrigation District No. 1,
over to the Brigham Young University as an endowment
fund. Until the ranch project was abandoned in 1930, the
irrigation district made payments on the interest and principal
of these bonds as they fell due.

The Knight Trust and Savings Bank, later the First
Security Bank of Utah, was made trustee for the fund and it
accumulated until at the present time, September 6, 1940, it
has reached the sum, approximately, of cash, $217,307.82,
with an addition of $41,500 in unredeemed bonds. A part of
this sum has recently been borrowed for the building of two
University dormitories, the Allen Hall for boys and the
Amanda Knight Hall for girls, long needed by the University.

Viewed purely as a financial proposition, the investment
in the lands and bonds of Blue Bench District No. 1 was a
mistake; but it relieved debt-ridden farmers of a grievous bur-

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

den, and it served as a basis of a splendid endowment for
Brigham Young University, and indirectly has been the means
of erecting these two beautiful and commodious dormitories
for the school.

Did Jesse Knight make a mistake in his Blue Bench Dis¬
trict investment? The answer is left to the reader.

KNIGHT TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

In the year 1913, Jesse Knight organized the Knight
Trust and Savings Bank, located in a substantial building on
the corner of University Avenue and First North streets,
Provo, and elegantly furnished with modern and up-to-date
facilities.

The capitalization of the bank was $300,000. It was
operated under a conservative plan as to interest rates, which
he requested should never be over 8%. This was strictly
complied with as long as it was controlled by the Knight
interests. On July 25, 1931 it joined the First Security Bank¬
ing System. During the entire period of its operation it has
been under the management of R. E. Allen.

LAYTON SUGAR COMPANY

In the year 1914 the directors of Knight Sugar Company
of Raymond, Alberta, Canada, decided to remove their sugar
plant to Utah where beet culture seemed to have greater ad¬
vantages, and accordingly a committee was selected from the
directors to choose a plant site. The committee consisted of
Ephraim P. Ellison, LeRoy Eccles and J. William Knight.

After the committee had visited Delta, Riverton, Brigham
City, and Layton, they recommended Layton as the most
favorable location. A plant site was decided upon, and con¬
tracts were entered into with the farmers for their 1915 beet
crop.

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

A contract had been entered into with the Lynch-Can-
non Construction company for the removal of the Raymond
plant to some place in Utah, but when the Canadian officials
learned of the sugar company's intentions of removal, they
enjoined the Company from doing so. It then became neces¬
sary, in order to take care of the contracts entered into with
the farmers at Layton, to make arrangements to fulfill the
beet contracts.

A meeting was called of the principal stockholders of
the Knight sugar interests, and it was decided to organize the
Layton Sugar Company. The E. H. Dyer Construction Com¬
pany was immediately wired and asked if it could erect a 450-
ton sugar plant in time to take care of the 1915 beet crop at
Layton. It was indeed a short notice for such a big undertaking,
but the negotiations were entered into and successfully car¬
ried out in due time to handle that season's crop. Once
more men of courage like Uncle Jesse Knight, Ephraim P. El¬
lison, LeRoy Eccles and others met a great financial respon¬
sibility.

It can be said of the Layton Sugar Mill that it has been
very successful in its operations, never missing a dividend pay¬
ment since its first year's operation.

Much credit for the success of the plant is due to the
conservative and efficient management of James E. Ellison
and his father, the late Ephraim P. Ellison, president of the
Company. The factory has been enlarged from time to time
until at the present its capacity is over one thousand tons of
beets per day. Rich and fertile land surrounds the factory
and thrifty farmers give good support to the company.

The Canadian Government finally withdrew its objec¬
tion to the removal of the Knight Sugar Factory, but not in
time to have it moved to Layton as first contemplated. It
was necessary, therefore, to secure a site for its erection.
Cornish, Utah, was the new site selected. It became neces-

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

sary for practically the same men who had built the new mill
at Layton to finance the construction of the Cornish Sugar
Mill.

The David Eccles interests acquired the Cornish Sugar
factory soon after its completion, it being located in the terri¬
tory where they had other sugar interests.

AMERIC AN-COLOMB IAN CORPORATION

Jesse Knight had the vision to see and the courage to do.
These characteristics were never better exemplified than in
1917 when he ventured into South America in a tremendous
enterprise. Joseph J. Cannon, another bold spirit, with some
others had in 1917 secured possession of a great tract of land
in the United States of Colombia. There were immense
possibilities in the million-acre possession, bordering on and
lying to the west of the Magdalena river, but capital would be
required to transform these possibilities into realities. Uncle
Jesse was appealed to and made the purchase without further
investigation.

Hyrum S. Harris, an attorney who spoke the Spanish
language, found that the original title to the land lay in a
Spanish grant dating back to the sixteenth century that still
held good. From H. M. Curran, an American timber forester,
father learned that there was on the land an estimated six
billion feet of merchantable timber. The soil was very rich
and capable of producing a variety of tropical products. Grass
grew luxuriantly the year around and was capable of support¬
ing many cattle. In addition the prospects for oil and mineral
wealth were very encouraging.

Uncle Jesse ventured. On June 30, 1917, the American-
Colombian Corporation was organized with a capitalization
of $100,000, divided into a million shares of the par value of
ten cents each, and the new company was listed among the
affiliates of the Knight Investment Company.

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

Joseph J. Cannon retained an interest in the property
and became its first manager. The cattle business was the
first enterprise undertaken. Native cows were put on the land
headed with 28 purebred Hereford bulls imported from the
United States to improve the stock. The cattle were leased
in small herds to native Colombians— squatters on the land.
This method of procedure was adopted to make peace with
squatters and to show possession and use of the land. The
cattle would feed in the lowlands during the dry season and
retreat to higher levels during the rainy season when the riv¬
ers overflowed their banks. So dense was the jungle in the
highlands and of such rapid growth that constant labor was
required to keep the pastures cleared.

W. Lester Mangum, son-in-law of Jesse Knight, went to
Colombia in 1918 and again in 1921 in the company's inter¬
ests, during which time he had acquired a speaking knowledge
of the language and had familiarized himself with corporate
affairs. He had particularly studied ways and means of
strengthening title to the company holdings, which in Latin
America, depend almost as much on physical possession and
use, as on the abstract of title itself.

Under these circumstances it was but natural for the
directors to request Mr. Mangum to return to Colombia late
in the fall of 1924 when the company manager was resigning
to take employment with one of the large American petroleum
companies operating in Colombia.

Up to this time all company cattle had been run on a
lease basis with leading squatters on company property, but
without any profit to the stockholders. When Mr. Mangum
assumed personal management of the property in 1925, he
made amicable settlement with the lessees and took over the
cattle and pastures for direct company control and manage¬
ment. A German veterinarian and practical cattleman, then
in the employment of the company, was put in charge of

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

livestock operations bringing it to a profitable business. How¬
ever, after about eighteen months of direct company opera¬
tions Mr. Mangum was stricken with a severe case of typhoid
and the Bogota doctors ordered him back to the United
States as soon as he was able to travel.

Shortly thereafter, in 1927, the German manager became
interested with some local Americans in a proposed cattle
venture of their own, and resigned effective at an early date.
Having no one to send from here nor funds to enlarge the
business, we sold the cattle and leased the pastures to the
German and associates. This venture of theirs ran into part¬
nership difficulties and we got nothing except the first pay¬
ment and subsequent amounts just sufficient to meet annual
tax requirements.

This was the situation when Mr. Jesse H. Knight, son of
Raymond Knight and grandson of Uncle Jesse, who was a
member of a Washington, D. C., law firm, succeeded in in¬
teresting his senior partners in the vast holdings in the United
States of Colombia. They sent Jesse to Utah to buy, if pos¬
sible, a controlling interest in the concern. In this under¬
taking he was successful, acquiring all the stock held in Utah,
constituting the controlling interest, at a reasonable price.

It was always believed by the Knight interests that the
American Colombian corporation had great possibilities of
success if a sufficient amount of capital had ben available to
develop its vast resources.

We understand the new interests under the management
of young Jesse H. Knight are meeting with success.

SPRINGVILLE-MAPLETON SUGAR COMPANY

In response to the urgent solicitation of residents of
Springville and Mapleton, Utah County, Jesse Knight in
1917, took steps for the organization of the Springville-
Mapleton Sugar Company. The company was organized with

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

a capital stock of $1,500,000. The original officers and di¬
rectors were as follows: President, Jesse Knight; first vice
president, H. T. Reynolds; second vice president, W. Lester
Mangum; secretary and treasurer, K. S. Jordan; directors (in
addition to the officers named above), T. N. Taylor, M. O.
Packard, Guy Mendenhall, A. M. Knight, Andrew Knudsen,
E. M. Snow, John W. Alleman.

The plant was located at Springville, Utah, and ran suc¬
cessfully under the management of W. Lester Mangum for
a number of years, after which in 1924, the controlling in¬
terest was taken over by H. T. Reynolds and associates, and
later acquired by the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company.

TINTIC DRAIN TUNNEL

The Tintic Drain Tunnel company was incorporated
September 19, 1917. The purpose of the tunnel, as set forth
in a circular soliciting stock subscriptions, was to 'launch a
new epoch in the mining industry of the famous Tintic Dis¬
trict; make possible deep mining by un-watering the whole
southern region, thus indirectly adding millions of dollars of
wealth to the State of Utah and directly making money for
the company/'

The capital stock of the company was divided in 3,000,-
000 shares of the par value of five cents each, with 1,755,171
shares outstanding and 1,244,899 shares in the treasury.

As contemplated by Mr. Knight the tunnel would ex¬
tend into the mountain about five miles, draining what was
known as the Diamond Mining District around Silver City,
making possible the operation of the mines which had been
closed down on account of excessive water. He had also in
mind the use of the tunnel water to irrigate the gardens of
miners working in the various Knight properties. He had
implicit faith in this venture, and if he had been able to com¬
plete the tunnel, his faith might have been justified by the

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

results; but after running a well-constructed tunnel with a
concrete water-way into the mountain a mile and one-eighth,
the project through lack of funds was not completed. To
show the high integrity of Uncle Jesse, it should be stated
that when it was found that through lack of funds the work
could not go forward as contemplated, he personally bought
back the stock that he had induced people to buy. It can
also be said that whenever the company was needing money
he bought stock at one dollar a share as long as he was able to
do so.

At no time in his career could Jesse Knight be placed in
the class of the idle rich. He was a strong believer in the
doctrine of work, and exemplified it throughout his life.
Fearful lest his children should be tempted, if he left them
much money or unencumbered property, to fall into habits
of idleness, he adopted the policy of running into debt in
establishing industries or big enterprises so that his heirs would
have property, but so encumbered that they would be forced
to work for a long time to free the property from debt and put
it on a paying basis.

This philosophy was one of the reasons for the purchase
by the Knight Investment Company of 10,000 acres of land
in Elberta, Utah. The acres had rich, deep soil, and a good
part of it had come under an irrigation project established by a
Colorado concern, providing for the conversion of Mona Lake
into a reservoir for the storing of water. The land had been
mortgaged to build the reservoir dam and construct the canal
system. Some of the people had been unable to pay their
mortgage installments and the company had incurred a heavy
indebtedness in litigation with Goshen over the ownership
of the water. The case in court was decided in favor of Goshen,
giving that town the greater part of the water the Elberta
people thought they owned and had been using in irrigating
their orchards and crops. This decision brought disaster to

KNIGHT INDUSTRIES

the Elberta people and greatly discouraged them, some to the
extent of leaving their homes.

Under these conditions one, Louis Thompson, succeeded
under receivership and tax sales, in acquiring possession of
practically all of the old company's holdings. He then in a
professional promoter s clever way, succeeded in interesting
Jesse Knight in the project. Uncle Jesse was impressed with the
richness of the soil and the possibilities of development of
the region through the use of new capital, and decided to buy.
In this decision he was strongly opposed by the members of
his family and by his attorney, who pointed out the involve¬
ment and insecurity of the title to the property.

In spite of these objections, Mr. Knight went ahead, and
in 1920 completed the deal. It now appeared, to use an ex¬
pression he might have used in his younger days before his
conversion, that he had “overplayed his hand." The Knight
mines were no longer sending forth streams of revenue, and
the depression had had a similar effect on many of his in¬
dustrial companies.

His demise occurred in 1921. After his death the Knight
Investment Company, through lack of funds to do what Uncle
Jesse had planned to do, had to sacrifice the property.

Chapter XII

SAVING THE CREDIT OF THE CHURCH

In Chapter VIII is related a conversation between
father and myself which took place early in the spring of
1896 before ore was discovered in the Humbug mine. In this
conversation he predicted that we should some day have all
the money we wanted, and should save the credit of the
Church. I disagreed with him at the time, but to show how
literally his words were fulfilled I am quoting, in this chapter,
with the consent of the writers, a number of letters pertain¬
ing to the fulfillment, which took place in the same year in
which the prediction was made, and while I was filling a
mission in Great Britain. It was not until after father's
death in 1921 that I learned of the events which fulfilled his
statement to me, and not until 1930, when I began searching
for data about father's life, that I found the definite informa¬
tion pertaining thereto. The following letters tell the story.
The first was written April 2, 1930 by me to my mother:

Dear Mother:

In the spring of 1896, just prior to discovering ore in the
Humbug mine, father said to me one day as we were walking
up the mountainside that he felt sure that he was going to find
ore in the ground and we would have all the money we wanted
and that some day we would save the credit of the Church.

This remark did not meet with my judgment at that time
and I had some little argument with father about it, saying that
he did not know how much we would want, nor did it look
possible for us to save the credit of the Church when it was
owing a million dollars or more. Our own ranch was mort¬
gaged and we did not know how to meet that obligation. But
notwithstanding this, father said he hoped I would remember
what he said; he said he did not wish to quarrel or argue with
me about it and only wanted me to remember what he had said.

SAVING THE CREDIT OF THE CHURCH

Soon after this, however, ore was discovered in the Hum¬
bug mine, in the year 1896. I have been unable to find the
date of the first shipment, but the second lot shipped October
24, 1896, brought a net return of $11,189.05. The shipment,
which was very high grade, assayed as follows:

Gold, 3.80 ounces; silver, 175.10 ounces; lead, 34.0%.

Money accumulated very rapidly; and as I had heard father
say that he had received a letter from President Woodruff at a
certain time regarding help given the Church to save its credit,
Leon Newren and I put in part of a day trying to find among
the old papers this letter from President Woodruff to father,
but we were unable to find it. I had just left the building after
the search when I met President Joseph B. Keeler on the street,
who said to me before I had time to tell him what was on my
mind, that he wished to tell me the details about father making
a certain loan to the Church; and strange as it may seem, his
story, which he subsequently wrote in the form of a letter, ans¬
wered the very question that was in my mind, and which I had
hoped would be answered in the letter from President Wood¬
ruff, for which we had searched. I am enclosing you herewith
copy of the letter from President Keeler which goes to confirm
very positively the statement which father made to me about
saving the credit of the Church.

Your son,

(signed) J. Wm. Knight.

Here is the letter from President Keeler:

President J. Wm. Knight March 31, 1930

Provo, Utah

My Dear Brother Knight:

I was very much interested in our conversation in regard
to an unusual occurrence that transpired November 22 and 23,
1896, in which your father. President Woodruff, Trustee-in-
Trust for the Church, and myself participated. The details of
the event, which I here briefly relate, originated in a request
made by President Wilford Woodruff at a Special Priesthood
Meeting following the general October semi-annual Confer¬
ence of the above named year. As you know such meetings are
composed of General Authorities of the Church, Presidencies
of Stakes, Bishops of Wards, and other officials. At that time

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

I was Bishop of the Fourth Ward, Provo, and your father and
his family resided there.

In the Priesthood meeting above noted, many topics were
presented, discussed and disposed of in the usual way. Just
before adjournment, however, President Woodruff arose and
made a special request, namely: that when the Bishops present
returned to their respective wards they would visit members
who were possessed of means and who might be able to lend
money to the Church for a short period, in any sum large or
small, on which interest would be paid as well as the principal.
He explained that the Church was in very straightened circum¬
stances financially. This condition was brought about in part,
he said, on account of the Federal Government confiscating
Church property and through other oppressing anti-Mormon
laws passed by Congress by which the peace of the people had
been greatly disturbed, property of the Church wasted, and the
industries of the then Territory depressed and hindered. He
presented this matter, he said, because right now there were
some very pressing demands on the Trustee-in-Trust, and the
credit of the Church was at stake.

This particular request went entirely out of my mind until
the afternoon of Sunday, November 22, 1896. I was returning
home from our Tabernacle services; and when within a short
distance of my home a voice said to me — a voice as audible as
that of a person — “Jesse Knight will lend the Church
$10,000.00.” That was all. Then it was that I distinctly re¬
membered the remarks of President Woodruff bearing on this
subject. I immediately changed my course and went to the
home of “Uncle Jesse,” and found him in his parlor reading.
After a few preliminary greetings, I rehearsed to him what had
transpired in the meeting, and what President Woodruff had
said about the Church being financially embarrassed. But be¬
fore I could ask him whether he would make the loan, he said
instantly, “Yes, I'll lend the Church $10,000.00 and I’ll see the
Cashier this afternoon and have a check ready for you tomorrow
morning, and you may take it down to Salt Lake.” That was
at a time when there was but one train a day to Salt Lake.
So, early in the morning, he met me at the station and handed
me an envelope containing a check.

As it happened, President Woodruff, with his counsellors,
George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, and several of the
Twelve were present in the President’s office when I arrived.

SAVING THE CREDIT OF THE CHURCH

After viewing the contents of the letter, President Woodruff
was very much pleased; and it appeared to me that a great
weight was lifted off his mind. At the request of President
Woodruff, I spent several hours there and took lunch in the
office with him and several of the brethren.

A letter was formulated to Brother Knight and was given
to me to hand to him. When I arrived at Provo he was at
the depot to meet me. I did not know the full contents of
President Woodruff’s letter, but Brother Knight remarked to
me a few days later that President Woodruff had said that the
check was the means of saving the credit of the Church.
Brother Knight also remarked to me some months later that
that was one of the best loans he had ever made.

Very sincerely your brother,

(signed) Joseph B. Keeler

The letter from President Woodruff was subsequently
found. Here it is:

Office of

The First Presidency
of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Box B

Elder Jesse Knight,

Provo,

Dear Brother:

I am just in receipt of your check for $7000. per hand of
Bishop Keeler, which makes $10,000 in all which you have
kindly advanced to me as trustee-in-trust for the Church. I feel
that this kindly act on your part is in answer to my prayers to
the Lord to open some door of relief whereby we may be
enabled to meet pressing demands upon us. I feel very thankful
to you, and feel with every sentiment of my heart to say, God
bless you and prosper you.

With kind regards,

Your Brother.

Wilford Woodruff.

P. S. My note in your favor for $10,000, at 8 percent is hereby
enclosed.

This note was subsequently paid in full.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

On another occasion, Heber J. Grant, at the time a
member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, asked Uncle
Jesse for $5000 to assist a number of brethren who had be¬
come financially involved. Father at first declined to ad¬
vance any money, feeling that it was a private venture on the
part of the men involved and their responsibility, not his;
whereupon Elder Grant mentioned asking another brother
to pray about his contribution when he declined to give the
amount asked for. ''Why didn’t you ask me to pray about
it?” Jesse asked. “Because you refused altogether to do any¬
thing,” replied Brother Grant. Thereupon Uncle Jesse
declared he believed in prayer and would go home and pray
about it. He did so and stated that before he got up from his
knees he felt impressed to double the amount asked for. The
next morning he again prayed about the matter and received
the same impression, and immediately sent his check for
$10,000, Reed Smoot joining in sending his check for $1,000.

When next Uncle Jesse met Apostle Grant, he remarked
with a smile. “When you ask me for another contribution.
I’ll pay it without stopping to pray.”

TTiat the contributions were gratefully received is evidenc¬
ed by the following telegram sent September 3, 1898, to Uncle
Jesse and Reed Smoot:

Salt Lake. September 3rd, 1898.

To Jesse Knight and Reed Smoot,

Provo.

God bless you and yours forever. May you and all your
loved ones have a great abundance of peace, prosperity and
happiness in this life and may you all enjoy an eternity of bliss
in the life to come is the profound and heartfelt prayer of your
brethren in the Gospel.

LORENZO SNOW,

JOSEPH F. SMITH,

HEBER J. GRANT.

At a later date J. William Knight received a letter from

SAVING THE CREDIT OF THE CHURCH 87

President Heber J. Grant again referring to the incident men¬
tioned above. Here is the letter:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Heber J. Giant. President
Salt Lake City, Utah

February 15, 1923.

Elder J. William Knight,

Provo, Utah.

My dear Brother Knight:

One of the most remarkable and wonderful things, to my
mind that ever happened to my life was when your father sent
me $10,000 to assist in saving the honor and good names of
President Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman and Abram H.
Cannon, in connection with the Utah Loan & Trust Company
of Ogden. Brother Reed Smoot sent $1000.00 the same day.

Yesterday I ran across the enclosed letter, which, as I
remember it, is a copy of a telegram sent the day the
$10,000.00 check came. I remember that President Snow said:
“Heber, write as strong a telegram of thanks as you know how
to write and we will sign it.” President George Q. Cannon was
out of the office at the time. The enclosed copy, I think, was
made by Brother George D. Pyper before I sent the telegram.
When Brother Snow read the telegram, he said: “You certainly
are giving them a rich blessing, and we are delighted to sign
the telegram.”

It is a little remarkable that since this telegram was sent,
that Joseph F. Smith should have succeeded Lorenzo Snow as
the President of the Church, and that I should have succeeded
Brother Joseph F. Smith.

Thinking that you would like to have the original copy
made in my office of the telegram which was forwarded to your
father. I have pleasure in enclosing it herewith.

Sincerely your friend and brother,

Heber J. Grant.

HJG*A

Enc.

Chapter XIII

A FRIEND OF BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

I^^nder the pioneer environment of Jesse
Knight's youth, the opportunities for scholastic training were
very meagre, but in the rough experiences of life he had ample
opportunity for acquiring a sound, practical education. His
days of freighting to Montana, crossing the plains for Latter-
day Saint immigrants, logging in the canyons, and working
on the grade of the incoming Union Pacific Railroad develop¬
ed character and self-reliance; he learned in his youth to bear
the weight of so many heavy burdens that in later life, when
responsibilities of tremendous weight fell on his shoulders,
he was strong enough not to be crushed by them.

So it may be said of Uncle Jesse that he was a self-made
man, but not an arrogant and self-important one; he ever re¬
mained humble. He was far removed from the self-made man
of whom it was said that he fell down and worshipped his
maker.

Though lacking in the education of the schools, he
nevertheless appreciated its value, and sought to give his
children all the advantages thereof. He was especially ap¬
preciative of the Brigham Young Academy (University). He
learned to love the school and its great presidents, Karl G.
Maeser and George H. Brimhall for what the school and
these leaders had done for his children, and was doing for
others.

When the opportunity came he was glad to be of ser¬
vice to the school, both as a generous contributor to its fi¬
nances and an active member of the Board of Trustees.

Jesse Knight's first substantial contribution to the Uni¬
versity came in 1898 when he became one of ten, each of

A FRIEND OF BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY 89

whom contributed $1,000 for the erection of the College
building. Two other members of the group of ten were his
daughter, Amanda Inez, and his son, Jesse William.

During the absence of President Benjamin Cluff on an
exploring expedition in South America, acting president,
George H. Brimhall, asked the Board at a session held May
14, 1901, for the erection of a training school building with
a gymnasium on the upper floor. Jesse Knight, who had
become a member of the Board, volunteered a contribution
of $15,000 to the structure. With this generous offer as a
beginning the Board authorized the erection of the building.

But Uncle Jesse’s efforts did not stop here; he used his
influence to induce others to make contributions. Among
his mining associates was David Evans, of Salt Lake City.
Up to this time Mr. Evans had held only a minority interest
in their ventures; but as he had now become "pretty well-to-
do,” he suggested that he should like a half interest when
Mr. Knight should find something "sure”. Uncle Jesse con¬
ceived the idea that a contribution to the training school
building would be a good investment— a "sure thing”. He ac¬
cordingly called Mr. Evans on the telephone, and invited him
to come to Provo as he had a proposition he could recom¬
mend, and considered it the best investment they could ever
make. Mr. Evans came down quite excited over what this new
venture was to be. When seated in Mr. Knight’s office, he
listened eagerly for the details of what he expected to be a new
mining venture. On being told that father would like him to
contribute $5000 to erect a training school building for the B.
Y. U. in which the two would share on a fifty-fifty basis, Mr.
Evans seemed to be quite shocked, but after deliberating on
the matter for a while, he reached into his pocket for his
check book, and said, "Jesse, I’m going to call your bluff; here
is my check for $5,000.” Jesse was not long in covering Mr.
Evans’ $5,000 with his own check. After the building had
been completed, Mr. Evans was invited, in acknowledgment

9°

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

of his fine contribution, to address the student body. He
related the circumstances attending his contribution, and
turning to Mr. Knight, who was on the stand, said, “Uncle
Jesse, I release you from the guarantee you made in regard
to this contribution. I acknowledge it to be the best invest¬
ment I ever made.”

This speech brought a great ovation from the student
body.

The Maeser Memorial building, the first structure on
University Hill, was erected by the B. Y. U. Alumni Asocia-
tion, of which Uncle Jesse had been made an honorary mem¬
ber. Founder's Day, 1909, witnessed the ceremonial laying
of the cornerstone. The building was completed and ready
for use at the fall term in 1911.

The cost of the building was $130,000. Of this amount
$65,000 had been contributed by the Knight family, divided
as follows: Jesse and Amanda Knight, $41,000; O. Raymond
and Lottie H. Knight, $5,000; J. William and Jennie B.
Knight, $6,000; R. Eugene and Inez K. Allen, $5,000; W.
Lester and Jennie K. Mangum, $5,000, and Iona Knight,
$3,000; $5,000 by L. Holbrook, and $45,000 by other members
of the Alumni Association. In January, 1916, there still re¬
mained an indebtedness of over $15,000. Jesse Knight came
to the rescue by purchasing at par $20,000 worth of Blue
Bench Irrigation District No. 1 bonds owned by the school,
$15,000 of the amount going to pay the Alumni indebtedness
and the remainder, other obligations of the school. These
bonds had come to the University from the sale of business
property to Jesse Knight. The property sold was a part of
the Brigham Young endowment to the Academy.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held at Salt Lake
City, September 22, 1914, Jesse Knight submitted to the
Board a document offering to make the endowment to the
Brigham Young University of one hundred thousand dollars

A FRIEND OF BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY 91

in bonds of the Blue Bench Irrigation District No. 1 . The pur¬
pose of the endowment is set forth in the document to be
the furthering of the work of the University in promoting
higher education and inculcating the principles and doctrines
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among its
students and to aid the University in enlarging its sphere of
action and increase its efficiency in carrying on this work.

Trustee Richard W. Young offered the following resolu¬
tion:

Resolved, that we accept with sincere thanks and pro¬
found gratitude the proposed gift of Trustee Jesse Knight
on the terms and conditions of the instrument as read, and
that the President and Secretary of this Board be authorized
to attach their names accepting this gift for and in behalf of
the Board.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.

At the present time, September 6, 1940, the principal and
accrued interest of the endowment is $217,307.82 in cash with
an addition of $41,500 in unredeemed bonds.

My father was intensely happy in making this contribu¬
tion. He believed that the surest way to express love for God
was by doing good to God's children. His family was in
hearty accord with him in this gift for they all saw in it a means
of rendering service to coming generations. In his last days
father earnestly requested his family to see to it that even if
these bonds should decrease in value they should be honored
at face value and the interest paid as it fell due. This in¬
junction the Knight family observed so long as they had the
means, even though great sacrifices had to be made by them
in doing so.

It was the hope of father and of his family that the mak¬
ing of this endowment might be an incentive to other men of
means to do likewise, for they would be made happy in

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

knowing that their power for doing good continued through
the generations to come.

At a session of the Board of Trustees held April 16,
1904, the need for a blacksmith shop was expressed. This
harmonized with the views of Uncle Jesse and he proffered
to erect the needed building. It was built the same year on
the south side of the street opposite the University block.
On January 21, 1905, President Brimhall reported that nine
men had each donated a forge to the new shop.

In 1907 Uncle Jesse deeded to the Brigham Young
University a tract of 500 acres of land on Provo Bench. The
Board of Trustees of the University, at a session held Octo¬
ber 12 of that year, voted a testimonial to the Knight family
for the gift.

At a later date forty acres in addition were given by the
same donor. Water for the Provo Bench land was secured
by the University from the Provo Reservoir Company.

Chapter XIV

CLOSE OF STEWARDSHIP

Ahe earthly stewardship of Jesse Knight came
to a close at his home in Provo on March 14, 1921. This
from the Salt Lake Tribune:

“ ‘Uncle' Jesse Knight is dead. The beloved pioneer,
mining magnate, builder and philanthropist passed away at
his home in Provo at 7:40 Monday morning, as the result of
a stroke of paralysis, which he suffered a month ago. He had
been unconscious since 4 o'clock Sunday morning. The im¬
mediate members of the family were present when death
came.

“The funeral services were held at the Provo Stake Tab¬
ernacle March 16. His friends were so numerous that many
were unable to gain admission. Among those present were
President Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins and many other
church officials; also State, County and municipal officers,
business associates, mining men and hosts of friends. The
deeds and achievements of the pioneer and friend of man¬
kind received warm eulogy from all the speakers."

A few of the many tributes paid to Jesse Knight follow:

From David A. Smith:

“To Uncle Jesse Knight, Mormonism was more than a
name. It was a spirit and a life. It was more than an organiza¬
tion. It was associated with vision and effort. It was co¬
operative, not competitive service. With him it transmitted
kindly desires into helpful deeds and turned dreams into ac¬
complished facts. It was a training school of usefulness where
personal gain was subordinated to public good. He viewed
service as a privilege to be sought, not as a burden to be

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

avoided. He never side-stepped a responsibility, or passed
the ‘buck' to the other fellow. To him life was an invest¬
ment that must hold dividends that are better than dollars
and that are not measured in terms of commerce; community
prosperity was more than personal profit. He never knocked
a good thing, nor praised a bad thing. His city was the best
in the country and his country the best in the world. He
worked hard, played square and gave with a smile. He had
an eye for a neighbor’s need, a hand trained to help, a foot
used to the paths of helpfulness and mercy, and a heart for
true men, good women and little children.”

From John S. Smith, a close business associate:

“Many a time have I marveled at his wonderful knowl¬
edge of God’s great out-of-doors. Jesse Knight was great be¬
cause he had a wonderful vision, greater and a broader vision
by far than is vouchsafed to the average man. He recognized
the truth of the statement that the real value of anything is
not in what it will yield but in ‘Is it right?’ For this reason
some have misunderstood him. He had no desire to accumu¬
late a great amount of wealth, but rather to use wealth for
the benefit of his fellow men. He was very democratic in his
ideals.”

The following is quoted from a letter to J. W. Knight
from Senator William H. King in Washington.

“As you know I regarded Jesse Knight as one of the great
men of the State and had for him a very deep affection. He
was a man of fine character, of strong convictions and of an
earnest purpose to aid in promoting the interests of the
State. I wish there were more men like him in the world.
If that were the case, many of the hard places would be
smoothed and many hearts would be glad.

“Your mother was a true companion to your father.
She was a complement to him in every way, and hand in
hand they journeyed through life accomplishing good and

CLOSE OF STEWARDSHIP

contributing to the happiness and welfare of thousands. I
shall not forget the last visit I paid your mother. You were
present. She had great courage and looked with no fear
upon the approach of death.

“She and your father left a rich inheritance to you and to
the rest of their children/'

President George H. Brimhall of the Brigham Young
University:

“President Brigham Young, President A. O. Smoot and
President Jesse Knight were the three great fathers of Brig¬
ham Young University. Jesse Knight has written his name in
brick, in mortar, in stone, in brass, in timber and with the
students and faculty of the university. May God bless his
memory."

Honorable W. W. Armstrong, president of the National
Copper Bank and a business associate of Mr. Knight:

“Jesse Knight was full of years and full of honor and was
a great and good man. He has left his life as a heritage to
us. He was a man who carried his righteousness into his
daily life. He was an inspiration and a great man. He was
an empire builder. He took wealth from the earth that it
might help his fellow man. From Alberta to South America
he led the water out of the streams to make the desert blos¬
som. I never was with him but that I felt uplifted and wanted
to emulate his beautiful example."

The following is an extract from resolutions adopted by
the Utah Chapter, American Mining Congress:

“Resolved, by the Utah Chapter, American Mining Con¬
gress, that we hereby express our recognition of the fact that
the State of Utah and the mining industry of the entire West
have sustained a grievous loss through the death of Jesse
Knight, and that the members of this organization in parti¬
cular feel themselves personally bereaved through the death

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

of an associate whose high standards of honor and duty, whose
wise counsel and whose friendly companionship had endeared
him to them in unusual degree/'

The following is an extract from resolutions adopted by
Brigham Young University:

“Uncle Jesse Knight has indeed been our patron saint,
generous with his means when the school was in dire financial
need.

His testimony of the Gospel borne many times to our
students has buoyed and strengthened our testimonies.

We are grateful beyond expression for all of these bless¬
ings, but we are even more grateful that the current of his
life has passed into ours, that into our lives were transfused
some of his geniality, faith, courage, fearlessness for the right,
and determination to succeed no matter how great the dif¬
ficulties. His kindly and unique humor brought a brightness
into our lives and was often a forceful weapon for driving
home a truth."

From the pen of Alfred Osmond:

“UNCLE JESSE"

As humble as a little child,

As loyal as the soul of truth,

As guileless as an infant's smile,

His kindly life inspired the youth
To gaze beyond the clouds of doubt
That shroud the streaming rays of light
I never knew a whiter scout
Than our dear Uncle Jesse Knight.

No wrong that he could clearly see
Was cherished in his noble heart.

His life has always been to me
A self-illumined kind of chart.

He took the stand that honor pays
And wrong could never be the right
There was no parting of the ways
With our dear Uncle Jesse Knight.

CLOSE OF STEWARDSHIP

I loved him with a kind of love
That human lips cannot express.

All petty faults he lived above —

I dare not even now confess
The loss I felt when, far away,

I heard his soul had ta’en its flight,

And even now I cannot say,

“Farewell, my dear friend, Jesse Knight.”

I see once more his kindly face;

Again I hear his broken voice.

With loving hand I fondly trace
His words that made my heart rejoice.
Again I say, without a doubt.

In every clash of wrong and right,

I never knew a whiter scout
Than our dear Uncle Jesse Knight.

Chapter XV

FINAL TESTIMONIALS

-ljLlice Louise Reynolds, a life long friend and
associate of the Knight family, wrote after father's death, a
testimonial of his character and good works for the White
and Blue, Brigham Young University. I submit them here:

“He went down as when a lordly cedar, green with boughs,
goes down with a great shout upon the hills, and leaves a
lonesome place against the sky.”

These lines, dedicated to another, in a measure express the
sense of loss felt by the students and faculty of the Brigham
Young University. We know we shall not soon look on his like
again. Yet all our past is made to glow, as glows the sunset in
a purple sky, because, forsooth, we knew him.

Uncle Jesse was always with us, on the bleachers, in the
“gym.” He came when we were given our degrees, and shared
with us the festive board. It is only a few weeks since he
attended a dinner given to Edgar A. Guest, and not many days
since he was the most interested spectator of the first league
game in basket ball.

Jesse Knight came to Provo in 1890, that his children
might be educated in the Brigham Young University. In the
thirty-odd years that have elapsed since his coming, he has seen
his children and his grandchildren in every department of the
school from the kindergarten to the college. That he appreci¬
ated the environment under which his children were placed,
he has abundantly testified to on many occasions.

His official connection with the school began May 7,
1901, at which time he accepted a place on the board of trus¬
tees; ten years later he became the Vice President of the board,
a position held by him at the time of his death. He also served
many years as chairman of the executive committee of the
board.

He has been a father to the institution in every sense of
the word, providing for it most generously, even before the
days of his official connection with the school.

FINAL TESTIMONIALS

Eight buildings comprise the present school plant; to the
erection of four of these buildings, Uncle Jesse contributed
most generously, having been almost the sole contributor to
some of them. Every student, raising his eyes to Timpanogos,
as he climbs the hill to the Maeser Memorial, or casting his
eyes back on the placid waters of Utah Lake, is deeply indebted
to Vice President Knight for much of the ground that forms
the campus on Temple Hill. In this gift his wife and children
have joined him, thereby earning for themselves the eternal
gratitude of all who have been partakers; and shall be partakers
of their generous gift in the days that are to come.

Among hundreds of heartfelt and eloquent tributes paid
Karl G. Maeser, the tribute of Uncle Jesse stands out in bold
relief. It was on the occasion of Dr. Maeser’s last visit to
Provo. Uncle Jesse, who was at the dinner given in Karl G.
Maeser’s honor, said, “Brother Maeser, I want to thank you
for the spirit you imparted to my children. To me you seem
the purest and most Christ-like man that I have ever known.”
These were not his exact words, for no other person ever said
anything exactly as Uncle Jesse said it, the substance only is
given. To this sentiment of gratitude he added the tribute of
his tears, a tribute surpassing the eloquence of words.

Of the many characteristics that have singled Uncle Jesse
out, and placed him apart from other men, none is more
pronounced than his desire to help others. This trait in his
character came to the fore when the Knight Woolen Mills
were burned. News reached him of the unforunate occurrence
while he was in Yellowstone Park. He did not exclaim as
many would have done, that the Knight Investment Company
had suffered a great loss; his first exclamation was one of sorrow
and solicitude for the many who would be thrown out of work
because of the fire.

All of Vice President Knight’s investments were pitched
to this high purpose; and if he helped himself he did it in a
strenuous effort to help others. Nor was his help confined to
the large groups he aided in factories and on farms only; in the
archives of the generous and the just can be found the names
of those he has assisted in his own sweet silent manner. On
this roll may be found the names of many students given
work during the summer months that they might continue
their education in the winter; and of as many more provided

lOO

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

scholarships, covering their tuition, that they might attend
school in the winter.

Humility coupled with an abiding faith was another of
Uncle Jesse's marked characteristics. After furnishing nearly all
the money either by direct gift or purchase, for the erection of
the Training School building, he very reluctantly consented to
assist in breaking the ground for the building. When at last
he did take the shovel in his hand to break the sod, he cau¬
tioned the students not to be misled by his action, “President
Brimhall," he insisted, was the man to whom honor was due.
“He," said Uncle Jesse, “gives his all for your sake, I have only
given you part of what the Lord has given me."

On more than one occasion he has been heard to plead
with the students not to applaud him as he entered college
hall; said he, “If you do not know that I do not deserve that
applause, I know that I do not deserve it."

Uncle Jesse frequently addressed the students; and while
he manifested a good deal of timidity whenever he spoke, yet
those who knew him always listened to his words with rapt
attention; for well they knew that somewhere in his pointed,
brief remarks, he would drop a nugget of wisdom, or give voice
to something clothed in humor both rich and rare.

Uncle Jesse was the soul of sincerity; in all my acquain¬
tance with people I have never known a more sincere person;
and just as he was sincere himself, he deplored the lack of
sincerity in others.

As a friend he could have no superior; he was to all who
knew him the truest and best of friends.

On one occasion I heard Uncle Jesse say that he might
have built the Maeser Memorial alone; but he felt that such
an act would not be proper, for said he, every student who has
ever fallen under the wonderful influence of Karl G. Maeser has
a right, as much as I, to contribute to the building of a memo¬
rial in his honor.

Our friend and benefactor was a unique character. All
the meaning that can be forced into the word, unique, comes
into play, when used on his behalf. He neither thought, acted
nor spoke as other men think, act or speak. He was kind as
other kind men are kind, only more kind; he was generous as
other generous men are generous, only more generous; so we
might continue through the long list of virtues that combined
to make the man.

FINAL TESTIMONIALS

101

His vision was of big things; and his actions harmonized
with his vision.

Those of us who have been connected with the Brigham
Young University for a rather extended period of time, are
convinced that a special providence has its destiny in hand.

It has received from the bounteous hand of a beneficient creator
many blessings rich and rare; yet in counting its many bless¬
ings it places the Love and Devoted Friendship of Uncle
Jesse Knight among its first and greatest.

MY OWN TESTIMONIAL

In writing this sketch of my father’s life many memories,
reflections of the past, have come to me and I only wish that
I had the language to more fully convey his real soul and
character to others.

It has been over forty years since some of the most im¬
portant events of his life began. We are sometimes so close
to the realities of great men’s lives that we do not compre¬
hend their value until they are taken from us.

I hope my simple effort in writing a story of his life may
have called to mind, in the friends and admirers of Jesse
Knight, some of the valuable lessons of his life.

He came forth with a new idea, an unselfish plan of
doing good to others by providing ways and means whereby
people could help themselves. I can truthfully say that he
was the most unselfish person I have ever known. It is
easy for me to believe that the Lord trusted and guided his
mind and hand in many of the things he did.

If men of science and material advancement have the
guiding influence of God, they are sure to succeed, for God is
the author of all truth. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost
that we may know the truth of all things. Should we not then
adjust our lives, prepare our minds, and ponder in our hearts
the things we wish to accomplish, so that God, our Heavenly

102

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Father, may find us prepared to receive His divine messages,
and help ns advance properly. I believe father received more
joy and satisfaction through recognizing God as his guide
than he could have received in any other way.

J. WM. KNIGHT.

Family Biographies

AMANDA McEWAN KNIGHT

iluNT Amanda Knight, as she was generally
known in her later years, had the blessed privilege of being
reared by pioneer parents, and among a large number of chil¬
dren, where it was necessary to struggle hard and share justly
with one another. She learned early in life the value of thrift
and industry, as well as economy in every way, so that she
acquired a keen sense of the value of material things. As her
pioneer parents were devoted to religion she also acquired an
abiding faith in the Gospel of Christ. She had deep affec¬
tion for her parents and brothers and sisters.

Her parents and family were gifted in dramatic art, well
trained in the domestic duties of the home, and cultured in
manners. With this rich heritage, mother went for¬
ward with hope and courage, guided by a true Christian spirit.
Doing good was her motto.

Her life radiated happiness and uplift to her family and
those around her; many were blessed by her kindly hand,
which reached out in various directions to give assistance
privately, as well as publicly. Her means were devoted to
high purposes, mainly helping, through the organizations of
her Church.

Being an officer of the Relief Society for many years,
she responded to the call in helping to erect meeting houses,
relief halls, and in a liberal way contributed to care for the
needy. She was a great friend of the Brigham Young Univer¬
sity, having contributed Raymond Park, now a part of the
holdings of the school on University Hill. She joined her

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

1 04

husband and family in generously giving sums of money for
the erection of useful buildings for that institution. Many
deserving students received scholarships from her, which made
it posible for them to continue their education, a blessing to
them and a joy to her.

Mother had a delightful sense of humor, loved good
company and kept an open home for her family and friends
to enjoy. Her heart was filled with genuine affection for
humanity in its broadest sense.

She made the girls who worked in her home feel that
they were a part of the family. They all respected her highly
for the considerations and motherly advice she gave them.

Miss Sena Christensen was one of the girls who, over a
period of time, gave much valuable help to our mother and
family. We all felt happy when mother remembered Sena
in her will for efficient, faithful and loyal service rendered.

The following are a few of the many sentiments express¬
ed to Amanda M. Knight on her 80th birthday, November
13, 1929, at a reception given by the Brigham Young Univer¬
sity women at the home of President and Mrs. Franklin S.
Harris:

To my very dear friend, Sister Amanda Knight, with my
very sincere wishes for all good, the remainder of her useful
and beautiful life.

With love,

Augusta W. Grant.

To my dear long-time friend, Amanda M. Knight, one
of the heroines of earth and the queens of heaven. May you
leave this heritage to your gifted family, as brightly preserved
as your life struggles deserves.

Lovingly,

Susa Young Gates.

Dear Sister Knight:

I am glad of this opportunity of telling you what an inspira¬
tion you have been to me the eight years I have known you.

AMANDA M. KNIGHT

AMANDA McEWAN KNIGHT

105

Your high ideals, your optimism, your dignity of character,
enhanced by your excellent taste and sportsmanship have made
a combination that few people possess.

Accept my congratulations on this anniversary of your
birth and may you enjoy many, many more.

Estelle S. Harris.

Dear Sister Knight:

I do appreciate the privilege of being numbered among
your friends. Your sincerity, your courage, your charity, your
generosity, your cheerfulness and your faith is an example of
the true values of life. For more than three score years and ten
your life has been an inspiration to all who have been fortunate
enough to come under the influence of your personality. May
you have just as many returns of your birthday as you desire.

Your sincere friend,

Eunice S. Harris.

To the Dearest Mother In the World:

With every passing day I know that I appreciate my
mother more. I have always been proud of her, but never
more proud than I am today.

One of my greatest desires is that I may grow older as
graciously as she has done.

My mother is truly beautiful, she has beauty of character
as well as mental, spiritual, and physical beauty. Many have
been attracted by her charm, but none more benefited than
her own children.

Whatever may be our success or our children’s the reward
must be linked back to our Mother. It is wonderful to have
a mother who understands and appreciates you as my mother
does.

There isn’t anything that I can say that will express better
what I feel, than these three short words so often used, but never
more keenly felt:

I love her, I love her, I love her, and may

God bless her,

Inez.

To you, mother dear, my love and gratitude increaseth
with each passing year. I am glad God permitted me to come
to your home to live. I am proud that you are my mother,
and in appreciation, it is my desire to prove myself worthy of
the love and devotion that has been mine to share.

io6

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Your wisdom is ever revealing itself and it will continue
not only to guide your children, but likewise your grand¬
children.

I love you with all my heart and may God continue to bless
y°u’ Devotedly, Jennie.

Dear Sister Knight:

Forever those who love the Brigham Young University will
be obligated and deeply grateful to you, for we know that you
supported your husband in his large gifts, interest and constant
work for the institution. Those of us who have had the
privilege, over rather a long period, of meeting you day by day,
know of your womanly qualities and of the high standards of
your life. Some of us think of you as contributing richly to our
lighter moments. I shall always think of you as one of the best
story tellers that it has ever been my good fortune to listen to
in social gatherings. All the blessings that have come to you
in life, we feel you have richly deserved, and we trust that you
will continue to be blessed, for there is no gift that you and
your revered husband have made to the communities in which
you have lived that in any way equals the gift of your fine family
of sons and daughters. A]ice Reynolds

Dear Sister Knight:

Of all the wonderful children it has been my good fortune
to teach there are none who have given me more satisfaction
than your grandchildren — splendid young people now, who are
living up to the high ideals and standards of “noble Brother
and Sister Knight.”

For your own dear self and for these noble spirits I am
truly thankful. God bless you always.

Hermese Peterson.

Dear Mother Knight:

As we greet you on this your eightieth anniversary we feel
in your presence the glory of a well spent life.

Your wisdom, love and queenly graces are an inspiration
to me. I love you dearly, you have been indeed a mother to
me.

God bless you.

Jennie B. Knight.

AMANDA McEWAN KNIGHT

107

SISTER AMANDA KNIGHT

A Sentiment for her Birthday

By Annie D. Palmer

In spite of the years a queenly grace,

And mellowed by years an angel face;

With a voice that is tender and kind and true,
And the warmest hand-clasp I ever knew —

Fair, just, and right,

Is Sister Knight.

With an honest pride in her girls and boys,

And supreme joy in her children's joys,

She has sought the Lord for their weal, in prayer,
And found the faith that could reach Him there;

So Hope shines bright
For Sister Knight.

With no wish denied in her later years,

She remembers the path through toil and tears;
And never a being in distress.

Who appealed to her that she does not bless;

So generous quite.

Is Sister Knight.

With a soul as pure as heaven's blue.

And a wondrous love that is shining through —
A love that abides, for her fellowmen,

And comes back to her God and His light again —

Heaven is in sight
For Sister Knight.

Amanda McEwan Knight was born at Salt Lake City,
November 13, 1851. Married Jesse Knight January 18, 1869,
at Salt Lake City Latter-day Saint Endowment House. She
died at Provo, Utah, December 15, 1932.

Her father, John McEwan, was born February 12, 1824
and died February 27, 1879. Her mother, Amanda Melvina

io8

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Higbee, was born May 20, 1826, at Clearmont County, Ohio,
and died May 24, 1882, at Provo, Utah.

Her parents were married December 23, 1845 by Apostle
Orson Pratt and sealed January 9, 1846 in the Nauvoo temple
by Heber C. Kimball and later came west in his company ar¬
riving in Salt Lake City in 1849.

The following children were born to them, Mary Jane,
William, Joseph, Amanda M., John H., Isaac H., Julia R.,
David O., Jesse and Eleanor Roundy. Eleanor is the only one
of the family living at this time.

On March 25, 1931, a letter was handed Amanda Knight
which had been written by her mother, a pioneer, and placed
in a Relief Society Memory box fifty years before. This let¬
ter was so greatly appreciated by her and her children that I
feel it is worthy of publication.

Provo City, March 25, 1881.

To my dear children and my grandchildren who may be living
when the box which contains this letter shall be opened and
the fingers that penned these lines gone back to mother earth:

I conjure you, my dear children, to be faithful in all your
covenants that you make in the Church. Pay all your tithes
and offerings with an eye single to the glory of God and be
faithful to the end of your days. It is the great love I bear you
that causes me to pen you these few lines, the last you will have
from me on this earth. It is the voice of your mother and
grandmother speaking to you from the grave, calling upon you
to live near your God and do all that you can that is left
undone for our dead.

My father, Isaac Higbee, and my mother, whose maiden
name was Keziah String, and my grandfather, Isaac Higbee,
and my grandmother, Sophia Summers Higbee and two uncles,

Elias and John S. Higbee, with their families, joined the Church
in the early days and went up to Jackson County, Missouri, from
where they were driven by our enemies from that County to
Clay County, in the same state. There my father left his
family and went to Kirtland, Ohio, to work on the Temple.
When he returned we moved to Caldwell County, Missouri,

THE KNIGHT FAMILY HOME, PROVO, UTAH

■

j ; ■ • •’ 4

AMANDA McEWAN KNIGHT

109

where we remained two years and were again driven away by
enemies out of the state altogether. This time we went to
Illinois where we remained some years, and in this state the
Prophets were killed. Here we built a Temple. We built
ourselves up in many things. Many had good houses and farms
and built a city and gave it the name of Nauvoo. It was beau¬
tifully situated, lying in the bend of the Mississippi River. But
again our enemies were upon us. We were driven out again
and found a home in these Valleys of the Mountains. How
long we will be permitted to stop here unmolested is for the
future to decide. If we do not live our religion God will
scourge us until we do.

I was born in the State of Ohio, Clearmont County, Pales¬
tine, in the year 1826, May 20th, and was married to your father
and grandfather, in the year 1845, December 23rd, who depart¬
ed this life in the year 1879, he being one of the First Presidents
of Seventies, and in the full faith of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.

I could mention many things if I thought it necessary in
regard to our persecutions and suffering. The first night's
sorrow I ever felt was the first night after we were driven out of
Jackson County. We camped at the foot of a high bluff and
in the night a terrible storm arose and rain came down in tor¬
rents and in the dead of night we had to climb the bluff to keep
from being swept away by the swelling flood. We took shelter in
a cave formed by projecting rocks after driving the wild hogs out.
My dear mother had to be carried up, being too ill to help
herself, and there sat in her chair, not being able to lie down.
Morning came at last as it always does, and with the light we
resumed our journey, and this day crossed the Missouri River
and immediately pitched our tent when in a few moments after,
my mother gave birth to a son and that night the stars fell from
the heaven and our enemies thought the day of judgment had
come.

My father was ordained to the Bishopric under the hands
of the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo. My present home is in Provo
City Fourth Ward. J. E. Booth is our Bishop of the Ward;
Abraham O. Smoot, President of the Stake.

When we came to these valleys with ox teams 33 years
ago we crossed over one thousand miles of uninhabited wilder¬
ness, save by savages and wild beasts of the desert, but when
we came in sight of the beautiful valley of Salt Lake, I wept

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

like a child, and what for — for very joy. It seemed so heavenly
and beautiful to me; it seemed as though I stood on holy ground.
I was filled with joy unspeakable and full of reverence to my
Creator for giving me such a beautiful home.

My father, Isaac Higbee, was made President of Utah Coun¬
ty Stake of Zion in 1849 and in the fall of 1850 his only living
son, my brother Joseph, was killed by the Indians, who made war
with our people and were afterwards whipped and driven into
the mountains. (His was the first grave in Provo City.)

My mother’s parents, Thomas and Hannah String (Albison
being her maiden name) were not in the Church nor any of
their children except my mother and her sister Margaret. The
names of their other children were Ann Conover, her husband’s
name was Robet Conover, and Hannah James, the wife of
George James, and Rebecca, the wife of Ephraim James, also
Sarah String, Martha String, and James String.

My father and husband each left a journal and small gene¬
alogy which I hope will be taken care of and which is now in the
desk of my late husband, where I hope it may be found at any
future time it may be wanted. I also have some of my father’s
journals which may be interesting and also my husband’s John
McEwan, all of which I hope will be taken care of.

And now, my beloved children and children’s children,
down to the latest generation: Be true to yourself and to your
religion and to your God, for there is no exaltation outside of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I might write much more, but we are told to be as brief
as possible that there may be room in the box for all.

If any of my dear children are living when this comes to
hand, I hope they will think much of what I have written, for
it is with pure motive. Now do all you can for yourselves, my
darlings, and for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the
earth, and May God Bless you all, is the Prayer of your loving
Mother and Grandmother,

AMANDA H. McEWAN.

LYDIA MINERVA KNIGHT

I_Jydia Minerva Knight was born May 19,
1870 at Payson, Utah, and died at Payson at 6 p. m., Thursday,
December 28, 1887, where she was buried, but her remains
were moved from there and now rest in the Knight family
plot in Provo.

Minnie, as she was called, was the first child born to
Jesse and Amanda Knight. She was a great joy to them in
their new ranch home.

Her devoted parents watched over her carefully as she
grew to womanhood in their happy home. During her early
years, she had diptheria, and was very ill from that dread dis¬
ease, but through good care and faith, her life was spared.

Her home being far from town made the problem of at¬
tending school very difficult, and so she received most of her
early training from her mother at home.

Minnie was beautiful in character and person, strong in
body, with a keen intellect, and made rapid progress when
the privilege of attending school finally came to her. She
rode horseback to and from school in Payson, about two miles
from the home.

Among her first teachers were Charles Wright, Martha
Fairbanks, Dennison E. Harris, John Finlayson, and others.

She had a host of friends who admired her genial spirit
and cheerful disposition, and who sought her company. She
was skilled in horsemanship and loved fine horses. They
were to the young people of her time like the automobile is
to the young folks of today.

Minnie was ambitious for an education, and became a
student of Dr. Karl G. Maesar while attending the Brigham
Young Academy at Provo. This fine uplift increased her
ability as a leader and also broadened her circle of friends

112

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

who loved her most dearly, as is evidenced from their let¬
ters to her, some of which are still preserved and cherished
by the family. We younger brothers and sisters felt favored
in having one so capable to lead us. Minnie was a great help
and companion to her mother in every way. No sacrifice
seemed too great for her to make for the family's best in¬
terests.

When the shadow of death came into our home at the
time of our long illness, at the ranch home near Payson, she
nobly asked God in faith to spare her baby sister who seemed
to be nearing death's door in exchange for her life. This su¬
preme love for all of us is beyond our description, it was so
beautiful and genuine. The details of this incident are relat¬
ed by her father, and is included in the sketch of his life.

OSCAR RAYMOND KNIGHT

Oscar Raymond Knight was born April 8,
1872 at Payson, Utah. His early life was spent on the ranch
home some two miles from Payson. He acquired a skill for
farming, ranching, and the handling of livestock in his youth
and these splendid achievements still remain with him.

Ray attended school at Payson. Later when the family
moved to Provo he enrolled at the Brigham Young Academy,
but his longing for the old homestead drew him back where
he again gave his attention to ranching.

He was fond of fine horses and good cattle, owning some
of the best horses in his county. Racing and good sports al¬
ways attracted him very much.

He was married to Isabelle Smith at Salt Lake Temple
June 24, 1894. They lived a short time on the Payson ranch.

OSCAR RAYMOND KNIGHT

1X3

Later he bought a fine home in Payson from Thomas G.
Wimmer.

He filled a mission to England and upon his return took
an active part with his father in his varied undertakings.

Ray was strong and ambitious to accomplish the things
undertaken. He was full of venture and liked speculation
generally achieving his aims.

Ray moved to Alberta, Canada, in 1900 where he built
a fine home for his family. He purchased a good ranch near
Raymond and erected a most elaborate and commodious
barn which attracted great interest. This splendid ranch
property was sold by him to a colony of Menonites who still
own and operate the same.

Ray Knight took an active interest in the early settle¬
ment of Raymond, a town named in his honor by his father.
He had to meet many difficult problems in a country like
Alberta, Canada, where winter blizzards often come suddenly,
requiring personal attention to be given the large interests
of the Knight Sugar Company.

This Company had vast holdings of land, sheep and
cattle. Ray never asked anyone to do a difficult job without
being willing to lead the way himself. He bought and sold
cattle for the Sugar Company for many years. Most of beef
cattle were sold in England. Ray made several trips across
the Atlantic with chartered ship loads of cattle. He was
responsible for bringing from Europe to Alberta some of the
best heavy draft horses that could be obtained. When one
stops to consider a ranch consisting of nearly 400,000 acres
of land fenced and divided into many pastures and stocked
with over 15,000 head of cattle and 40,000 head of sheep,
which need much care and attention, one can realize it is a
big job. Ray, with capable men to assist him, did much to
make such big undertakings successful. He was of course
assisted by good men like James Ririe, Dick Kinsey, Manager

n4 THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

E. P. Ellison, R. E. Allen and others. So much of Ray’s acti¬
vities has been mentioned in connection with Jesse Knight’s
life story, I think it not necessary to say more about his many
connections with the Knight Sugar Company.

Ray Knight holds many medals for his skill as a rodeo
expert in calf and steer roping. When Edward, the Prince
of Wales, visited Alberta, Canada, Ray put on a special rodeo
for him. Ray is an excellent judge of all rodeo events. One
year he was chosen as one of the judges of events at Madison
Square Garden in New York. If Ray should be asked what
do you do for recreation? I think his answer would be another
good rodeo show.

When Jesse Knight’s mining and other interests in Utah
became so extensive and required so much attention, he
wrote Ray on August 31, 1917 requesting him to dispose of
his personal interests in Canada and come to Utah to join
him in his responsibilities here. With some misgivings Ray
responded to the call.

When it became known in Raymond that Ray was go¬
ing to leave, the people arranged a farewell banquet in his
honor at which the following resolutions were adopted.

TO RAYMOND KNIGHT

At Farewell Banquet Tendered by the People of Southern
Alberta , Raymond , Alberta , Wednesday ,
December 12, 1917.

It is with profoundest regret that the people of Southern
Alberta meet tonight to bid farewell. No better evidence of
sincere appreciaion and esteem could be had than the presence
of so many friends. You have been with us so many years
that we are indeed reluctant to say "Good-bye”. It is a great
source of joy to know that your distinguished father desires
your services in the management of his extensive enterprises
and is a further witness that you are a worthy son of a noble

OSCAR RAYMOND KNIGHT

“5

“When you came to Alberta seventeen (17) years ago
there was little or no development in this vast prairie land.
Through your importation of pure-bred horses and extensive
breeding of cattle and sheep and the cultivation of thousands
of acres of land, the prairie had been transformed so that to¬
day we have numerous farms, thriving towns and villages,
happy homes and a contented and prosperous people. In
the material and practical things of our Provincial life you
have rendered great assistance. We recognize in you a man of
faith, of ambition, of judgment and of vision. You are not
only big and strong in body; and wise and honest in judg¬
ment; and great and broad in intelligence; but you are like¬
wise upright and sound in character, so that you have gained
the proud distinction and are entitled to the appelation “The
noblest work of God.”

“Your example will refresh us in the coming days and
your vigor, and courage, and ambition, and integrity, will
stimulate us to greater activities. When big questions arise
and big issues are at stake we shall remember your counsel and
your example; and your big manly form coming up on our
mental vision will inspire us to endeavor to meet them in the
same big successful way which has characterized your life and
labors in the great Canadian west. We appreciate your labors,
acknowlege with thanks your public service and are grateful
for your association and companionship and in bidding you
farewell, we sincerely wish for you and yours, bon voyage,
God's blessing, health, happiness and success.

“Signed on behalf of the people of Southern Alberta by
Duncan Marshall, Minister of Agriculture

T. J. O'Brien, Mayor of Raymond
Ernest Bennion, Mayor of Magrath
A. J. McLean, Minister of Public Works
W. D. L. Hardie, Mayor of Lethbridge
W. E. Pitcher, Mayor of Cardston

THIS 12th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1917”

n6 THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

When Ray arrived in Utah he went over the affairs of
the Knight Investment Company with his father, and after
considerable deliberation he reached the conclusion that he
would not fit into the picture as outlined and concluded to
return to Canada, where he again began accumulating large
tracts of land and entered into a contract with the Knight
Sugar Company, Ltd., to purchase their entire holdings which
included over 40,000 head of sheep, 17,000 head of cattle,
more than 1,000 head of horses, and 140,000 acres of land
involving a total value of more than $3,500,000.00. The agree¬
ment was made on May 15, 1918 between the Sugar Com¬
pany and Ray, and his associate, J. D. Watson. In addition
to this he had leased 140,000 acres at Brooks, 365,000 acres on
the Blood Indian Reserve, and owned the large Kirkaldy
Ranch.

From the sale of livestock there was made a payment of
over $850,000 and it appeared that the deal might be success¬
fully completed; but at the close of the world war, prices for
land, livestock, and commodities broke sharply and continued
to such low levels that Ray and his partner were obliged to
forfeit the contract and the unsold property reverted to the
Sugar Company.

This was a great disappointment to Ray, because he
had an ambition to accomplish big things even as his father
had done.

Ray's wife, Isabelle Smith, was a school teacher before
she was married. They had born to them five children while
living in Payson. She accompanied her husband to Canada
where she resided for a number of years, but her health was
impaired and she came to Provo where she passed away. Two
of her children proceeded her in death. Her eldest daughter,
Uarda, was born at Payson, Utah, November 19, 1895. She was
a student at the University of Utah and a graduate nurse. Ray¬
mond, her eldest son was born March 15, 1897, at Payson>
Utah. He is interested in mining and is a good mechanic.

JESSE WILLIAM KNIGHT

“7

He enlisted in the World War of 1914. Kenneth is a farmer.
He was born August 10, 1900, at Payson. He attended Brig¬
ham Young University and the Utah Agricultural College
at Logan. He has filled a mission for his Church in Canada.

Ray's second marriage was to Charlotte Maud Heninger,
a teacher, who is the mother of three sons and two daughters.
Owen, her eldest son was a young man full of promise but
his life was cut short by death which took place January 22,
1925, at Salt Lake City. Wayne H. filled a mission for the
Church in France and Switzerland. He is an attorney-at-
law, and has a charming wife, Pauline Pingree. They live in
Chicago. Jesse H. filled a mission to Germany. He is an
attorney, president and manager of the American Colombian
Corporation, a company formerly owned by the Knight In¬
vestment Company and located in Colombia, South America.
This company was purchased by Jesse H. Knight and his as¬
sociates. Jesse H. Knight was married to Blanche Brewer of
Mississippi, a beautiful girl of Dixie land. Charlotte H. is a
graduate of the University of Utah and Columbia University
and is now residing in New York. Mary Maxine was a stu¬
dent at the Brigham Young University and graduated from
the University of Utah. She is now specializing in psychiatry
in Hartford, Connecticut.

JESSE WILLIAM KNIGHT
By /. Marinus Jensen

ith such heritage as that given to Jesse
William Knight, he had to disavow any right to fail in life.
With an added environment of home, school, and church,
such as fell to his lot, the achievement of success in life be¬
came a command. Will Knight heeded the command. His
has been a practical life, guided by ideals.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Jesse William Knight, the second son of Jesse and
Amanda McEwan Knight, was born at Payson, Utah, August
20, 1874. His early life was spent with his family on their
ranch near Payson, performing the duties incidental to ranch
life. He early acquired an interest in horses, and was very
fond of horse-back riding. In the horse races for which Pay-
son is noted, he was often a jockey, sometimes riding his
own horse and sometimes one of his father's.

Will attended the public schools of Payson until he was
sixteen, when he moved with his parents to Provo and began
his attendance at the Brigham Young Academy while Karl G.
Maeser was still principal of the school. When the school
moved from the Z. C. M. I. warehouse to its new quarters
Will registered in the Commercial Department under the
principalship of Joseph B. Keeler, and graduated from there
in 1894, when he was nearly twenty years of age. During his
years of attendance at the Academy, he learned to love the
old school, and since that time has been happy in doing all
he could for its welfare.

On leaving school he spent two years in farming near
Milford, after which he returned to Provo and engaged in
mining with his father. Together they discovered ore in the
Humbug mine in Tintic. This was the beginning of the
great success in the Knight mining operations.

In the fall of 1896 J. Will went on a Latter-day Saint
mission to Great Britain, spending his time in the Chelten¬
ham and Bristol conferences and on the Jersey and Guernesey
islands. During the missionary period he had an opportunity
of taking a trip to the continent in company with his brother,
Ray, his sister, Inez, and some other friends, among whom
was one especially interesting young woman, Lucy Jane Brim-
hall, daughter of Dr. George H. and Alsina Wilkins Brim-
hall. The two young women, the Misses Knight and Brim-

WILLIAM KNIGHT

JESSE WILLIAM KNIGHT 119

hall, were the first regularly called lady missionaries for the
L. D. S. Church.

As good fortune or design would have it, J. Will and Miss
Brimhall were both released from their missions in the latter
part of November, 1898, arriving at their homes in Provo
December 9 of that year. On January 18, 1899 these twain
were made one in the Salt Lake Temple, President John R.
Winder performing the marriage ceremony.

They moved into their home at 390 East Center, Provo.
Shortly thereafter J. Will went to Canada with his brother,
Ray, where they acquired a large tract of land and became
ranchers. J. Will built a fine ranch home fifteen miles east
of Cardston, Alberta, and had charge of the first Knight
ranching interests there. This ranch, the Bar K 2, was stock¬
ed with about 4,000 head of steers, and consisted of some
30,000 acres of land covered with grass, lakes, and wild flow¬
ers. There was an abundance of wild game, consisting of
chickens, ducks, and geese, which furnished sport for all.

Mrs. Knight joined him as soon as the house was com¬
pleted. Here they entertained many friends and relatives
from Utah, as well as some Canadian friends and officials.
Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette H. Holbrook shared this home.

When the townsite of Raymond was located and settlers
began to arrive, an ecclesiastictl ward was organized by Apostle
John W. Taylor and Stake President C. O. Card. Jesse Wil¬
liam Knight was, on October 10, 1901, chosen to be the first
Bishop, with Joseph Bevan and Ephraim Hicks as counselors.

The duties of the Bishop were somewhat difficult be¬
cause of the pioneer conditions of the country. However,
despite obstacles, he was successful in his work and was great¬
ly beloved by his people. At the organization of the Taylor
Stake on Sunday, October 30, 1903, he was chosen as second
counselor to Heber S. Allen, the first president of Taylor
Stake.

120

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

While in Canada he took an active part in ranching,
farming and beet raising for the Knight Sugar Company.
He returned to Provo in 1907, where he again engaged in
mining, becoming vice president of most of the Knight In¬
vestment companies, and had active supervision of a number
of the mines.

His mining work did not prevent his taking an active
part in church and civic affairs. In 1908 when Joseph B.
Keeler became Utah Stake President, he chose L. Holbrook
as first counselor and J. William Knight as second counselor.
Upon Brother Holbrook’s moving to Salt Lake City, Brother
Knight was chosen first counselor and Amos N. Merrill, sec¬
ond. This organization continued until October 26, 1919,
when Thomas N. Taylor was made President of Utah Stake
and J. William was chosen first counselor and S. P. Eggertsen,
second. After holding this position for a number of years,
Will resigned because of an appointment he received by
Governor Henry H. Blood to be a member of the Utah State
Tax Commission.

In September, 1939, he gave up his position as a Tax
Commissioner and returned to his home in Provo, directing
his attention to mining and other interests.

Projects in industrial pursuits, reclamation, and road
building have always had a strong appeal for J. William; con¬
sequently he has been identified with many important moves
in these various directions prominent among which are the
following companies: Provo Reservoir, The Utah Lake Irri¬
gation, The Layton Sugar, Knight Sugar, Utah Ore Sampling,
Ellison Ranching, and the Knight Investment.

Mr. Knight is a member of the American Mining Con¬
gress and has attended a number of its national meetings.
He has taken much interest in political affairs and has been
affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a delegate to
the national convention held in St. Louis. In 1908 Jesse Wil-

JESSE WILLIAM KNIGHT

121

Ham Knight was the candidate for Governor of Utah. He
was defeated with his party, but ran ahead of his ticket.

Under the appointment of Governor Spry he was a
member of the State Board of Directors for the Panama-
Pacific Exposition, a board that distinguished itself for its
splendid business management. Under the appointment of
Governor Bamberger, Will became a member of the Utah
Agricultural College Board, a position from which he found
it necessary to resign after two years of service because of his
election to the State Senate.

On the death of his father in 1921 he was honored by
being chosen a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brig¬
ham Young University and also of the Executive Committee,
which positions he held until the Board was dissolved in 1939
and the University was brought under the direct supervision
of the Church Board of Education.

He served two terms in the Senate, working especially
on three committees, Commerce and Industry, Appropria¬
tions, and Public Affairs. At a peace convention held in Salt
Lake Tabernacle, on the occasion of President Woodrow
Wilson's visit to Utah, he represented Commerce and In¬
dustry in his address. J. Will has worked consistently for
prohibition and suffrage, it was fitting that he should be a
member of the Legislature called in special session to ratify
the Federal Ammendment for woman suffrage.

Fond of out-door sports, he has found special pleasure
in hunting, fishing, and tennis. He has received two trophies
in tennis, the latter in 1940 in his sixty-sixth year. In his ten¬
nis playing he has entirely disregarded the injunction of Pit¬
kin, author of “Life Begins at Forty," not to play tennis af¬
ter forty. But what was he to do? Golf is an old man's
game, and entirely too slow for him. Forty was about the
time he began playing tennis. Athletic sports never fail to
win his interest. Times unnumbered, he has been an official

122

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

at athletic contests, serving for a long period on the Athletic
Council of his Alma Mater and being still an active member
thereof.

J. Will is fond of his wide circle of friends; he has an
abounding good humor, a story of good point always finding
a ready response. Like his father, he has sympathy for those
in need of comfort, the poor, the sick, and particularly those
who are called to mourn the loss of loved ones.

It is easy for him like it was for his forebears, to pay his
tithing and other contributions to worthy causes.

When the Boy Scout movement first started in Utah
Couny, he was an officer and gave much valuable help to
this worthy cause for many years.

The Will Knight family is a happy one. There are two
sons, Richard was born June 9, 1911, at Provo. He filled an
honorable mission to South Africa during the years 1931-1934
and returned home via the Orient, thus completing a trip
around the world. Richard became a graduate of the Brig¬
ham Young University in 1937. He married Gale Stewart of
Logan in the Salt Lake Temple July 2, 1935. They have two
sons, Richard S., born June 19, 1936, in Salt Lake City, and
William Stanford, born at Logan June 21, 1938.

Philip, their youngest son, was born at Salt Lake City,
February 28, 1915. He graduated from Brigham Young Uni¬
versity in 1936 and from Stanford Graduate School of Busi¬
ness in 1939. He married Ellen Binns of American Fork in
the Salt Lake Temple January 18, 1937. She was a graduate
of B. Y. U. in 1936. They have a daughter, Launa Jane, born
in Salt Lake City July 22, 1939.

INEZ KNIGHT ALLEN

JLhe following biographical sketch and tribute to
the memory of Inez Knight Allen is from the pen of Alice
Louise Reynolds, a close companion and friend for many years.
The article was published in The Relief Society Magazine for

Juty, 1937-

Inez Knight Allen, distinguished daughter of distinguish¬
ed parents, has gone to her reward of the just in Christ Jesus,
our Lord.

Her deft hand and full heart touched many phases of
community life, and all for good. She wove into the pattern
of her life beauty and ideality, and as the pattern unfolded
it revealed a woman of skill in many things— a woman of
tact in all things— a woman who was a pioneer in three lines
of service.

Inez was born in Payson, September 8, 1876. Her par¬
ents were Jesse and Amanda McEwan Knight. She loved and
honored them throughout her life. Her deep affection for
them was reciprocated by their deep affection for her. It is
to be hoped that she has talked over her father's life and char¬
acter with some one who will in the future be his biographer,
else there will be great loss; for no one understood “Uncle
Jesse" better than did his daughter, Inez. Mrs. Allen received
her early schooling in Payson, but so deeply imbued was her
father with the spirit of Dr. Karl G. Maeser that he moved
to Provo in 1898 that his children might have the advantage
of attending Brigham Young Academy.

Then came her mission, which will always be historic;
for she and Mrs. Jennie Brimhall Knight were the first women
to be called on missions in the same manner as most women
are called on missions today, and not in connection with
their husbands.

124

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

On her return she acted in the capacity of dean of women
at Brigham Young Academy, although it was not known by
that name at that time. At the same time she served as
secretary to her father whose volume of business was daily
increasing.

She has been an interested and ardent Church worker
throughout her life. She began in the Sunday School as a
teacher, but was soon taken on to the stake board of the Re¬
lief Society where she served as secretary and afterward as
counselor to Martha A. F. Keeler, wife of Joseph B. Keeler.
In 1918, on Sister Keeler’s retirement, she became Stake
President, which office she held until 1924. She was the
first president to employ a trained social worker, and was the
leading spirit in Utah County. Her administration was a
very high order and unusually efficient. It was characterized
by a number of innovations, by intelligence and vision.

During the war she served as chairman of the Utah
County Council of Defense and Liberty Loan Committee.
She was Vice Chairman of the Utah County Red Cross, and
in recent years has served on the Utah County Relief Com¬
mittee.

She was active in politics. She was the only woman in
Utah County ever placed on a ticket for the state senate.
She believed that woman should take a part in bettering gov¬
ernment whether national or local. Some of us recall the
picture of William Jennings Bryan, standing on her mother’s
porch, urging those who came within range of his voice to
support her for the Senate. They also remember that when
he was through, President Heber J. Grant told the throng
gathered that were he a resident of Utah County irrespective
of party affiliation, he would support Mrs. Allen. She never
went to the legislature, but she did make it possible for oth¬
ers to go and rejoiced at their success; for she lived to see

INEZ KNIGHT ALLEN

125

women from both major political parties serve the legislature
from Utah County.

She served her party nationally as a presidential elector.
She was a delegate to the National Convention held in New
York in 1924, and served the state as National Committee-
woman four years. It was in this capacity that she attended
the National Convention at Houston, Texas, in 1928, and at
this time her public work became sufficiently significant to
give her a place in “Who's Who".

On June 11, 1902, she was married to Robert Eugene
Allen.

Mrs. Allen was as outstanding in her domestic life as
she was in her public work. She, with her husband, built
a home from whence five stalwart sons have gone forth
equipped to serve the modern world. Four of those five
young men have done service in the mission field. She used
to say that her daughters were her son's wives. Like her
sons they are a group of useful and cultivated young women,
who will miss her greatly as will her two grandchildren. On
Friday, preceding her demise, which occurred on Saturday,
June 5, she was at a luncheon, where about twenty-two of
her friends were gathered. She talked of her grandchildren,
of their proud fathers and fond mothers, and the last word
from her lips that fell upon my ears concerned her son,
Robert, and wife who are in Paris, France.

The Allen home was a home of interest and happiness.
Often it has been my privilege to dine with the family. Such
times were always occasions for me, as I listened to Brother
and Sister Allen and their sons and daughters converse to¬
gether. Sometimes it was serious conversation, at other
times it was full of humor, talk that cause a lot of merriment
and fun; it was table talk of a very high order.

I have stated earlier in this article that she pioneered

126

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

in three fields. These fields were missionary work, social
work, and the cause of women in social and political life.

Her crowning work for her Church has been in the
Relief Society. So diligently did she seek for knowledge in
this field that she became a social worker of repute, sought
for on county boards and on state committees. By every
instinct of her being she was eminently fitted for this work.
Bom of parents of large sympathy, the driving power of her
soul was sympathy. '‘She had such great understanding” say
many who knew her. “She could go to the most rural com¬
munity and put at ease the timid,” say others, “bringing
peace where there had been distress.” Always she saw what
was lovely in a situation, and drew one's attention from the
unlovely to the lovely. She was a sort of alchemist turning
base metal into gold in a spiritual sense. Her success as
Stake President of the Relief Society was in all probability
due much more to the sympathy she aroused for those less
fortunate in life than from any technique she made use of,
although she sought and used the most progressive methods
in her work.

It was the intellectual acumen blended with fine feeling
and deep concern for others that was basic in her success
both as an administrator and as a public speaker. She was
effective as a speaker, but when she spoke she always warmed
hearts and almost as often drew tears from the eyes of her
listeners.

Mrs. Allen was a member of the General Board of the
National Women's Relief Society, the Brigham Young Uni¬
versity Women, the Nelke Reading Club, the Yeasharah
Club, which is an organization of lady missionaries, and
the Alice Louise Reynolds Club, which she was prominent
in bringing into being in 1932. She was for four years the
Chairman of the Central Committee; she was also a member
of Chapter Two, of the Club known as the Alice Louise

INEZ KNIGHT ALLEN

127

Reynolds Friendly Circle Club, all of Provo, and for some
time she has been a member of the Friendship Circle of
Salt Lake City.

Inez Knight Allen, highly respected, deeply beloved,
leaves behind a place that other; cannot fill. As she moved
about in the various circles with which she has been connect¬
ed, her face glowed with the love her soul radiated, and the
memory of her soul's glow will be a part of the wealth of all
who ever knew her as long as there are those remaining who
felt her handclasp and who knew her smile.

Some there are who create art, others there are who make
of their lives a work of art— she belonged to the latter group.

The beautiful poem which follows was written by Sebrina
Cropper Reynolds, and appeared in July, 1937, issue of The
Relief Society Magazine:

A TRIBUTE TO INEZ KNIGHT ALLEN

By Sebrina Cropper Reynolds

Dear heart, the tie that binds us ne'er can sever
Though thou the pure, the good, are called away
Thy memory lingers — we’ll forget thee never
The Father called — we would not bid thee stay.

Go claim the crown of honor and approval
That He a loving Father will bestow.

Our hearts bow down with grief at thy removal
It is so hard dear one to see thee go.

But we will hold forever in remembrance
Thy kindly word, thy genial pleasant smile
Our lives are enriched, inspired because we knew thee
Thy soul was pure — thy life unknown to guile;

Though rich endowed the humble knew thy favor
Thou wert so keen to take the sufferer’s part
It was of such as thee, that spoke our Savior
When Christ said: “Blessed are the Pure in Heart.”

Inez Knight Allen, daughter of Jesse Knight and Amanda
McEwan, was born at Payson, September 8, 1876. Died June
5, 1937, at Provo. Married June 11, 1902 to Robert Eugene

128

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Allen, son of Thomas Lonsdale Allen and Sarah McCarthy
Allen. Inez and Engene had five sons born to them: Wil¬
liam Eugene was born May 27, 1903, at Provo; attended the
Brigham Young University, and took his B.S. degree at the
New York University in commerce and business. He filled a
mission for his Church in England. He married Lorna Bag-
ley November 19, 1924, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had
one daughter, Lorna Gene, who lived but a short time. He
received his law degree from the National University Law
School at Washington, D. C., and is now employed in the
Credit Union Division of the Federal Farm Credit Admin¬
istration. Eugene's second marriage was to Carolyn Stromm.
They now make their home in Arlington, Va.

Jesse Knight, their second son was born July 12, 1904, at
Provo. He graduated from Brigham Young University in
business and accounting. He married Alice Leila Richards of
Salt Lake City, September 1, 1928, in the Salt Lake Temple,
as were his brothers. He received his master's and doctor's
degree in banking and business administration at the Stan¬
ford University and is now assistant Professor in Stanford
Graduate School of Business. They have two sons, Daniel
and David; their home is in Palo Alto, California.

Mark was born October 22, 1905, at Provo. He gradu¬
ated from the Brigham Young University with an A.B. degree
in psychology. During his two years' labor in the Eastern
States Mission he was the secretary there. He was married
to Phyllis Sloan of Cardston, Canada; she was a graduate of
the University of California. They have two daughters,
Barbara and Mary. Mark received his master's degree in
psychology at Stanford University. He is assistant Superin¬
tendent and Psychologist at the Utah State Training School at
American Fork, Utah.

Robert was born August 4, 1908, at Provo; graduated
from the Brigham Young University in modern languages;

JENNIE KNIGHT MANGUM

129

filled a mission for his Church in Germany and Switzerland.
He married Bessie Taylor who was also a graduate of the
Brigham Young University. Robert was appointed United
States collector of customs in France in which capacity he
served for four years, then returning to Provo for a short
time. He is now employed by the government in the Cus¬
toms Department and is located in New York City with his
family. Their son, Robert, was born in Provo.

Joseph was born January 1, 1910, at Provo and studied
at the Brigham Young University, later taking his B.S. degree
at the Stanford University in social science. He married
Ruth Stevens of El Paso, Texas. Joseph continued his studies
at the Stanford University and took his master's degree in
business administration from that institution. He is now a
traveling auditor in the Western states for the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.

JENNIE K. MANGUM

A he following commentaries on Mrs. Mangum
is a composite picture of "Mother" as seen through the eyes
of her husband, sons and daughters:

Mother is all that is fine, sweet, gracious and lovely.
The years come and go but she looks the same to us as she
did in our youth. She lived closely with her children as
they were growing up and was always intensely interested
in everything that interested them; this helped to keep her
young and progressive.

Mother's life exemplifies the truth that "It is more blessed
to give than to receive". We have seen her do without many
things dear to the heart of a woman just to satisfy some need
or wish of her children. Many a time she has worked all
through the day and far into the night to complete a party

i3°

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

gown of her own design to adorn the girlish figure of one of
her daughters; and we could always wear these creations with
a sense of real pride and the feeling of being well dressed.
Not only did she sacrifice for her children; she was always
conceiving and doing something kind and lovely for friends
and neighbors.

We have happy memories of coming home at night from
parties and going to her room for our goodnight kiss and to
report the high lights of the evening. At times this would
get Father so wide awake that he would have difficulty in
getting back to sleep, but Mother would say, “If they do
not talk to me now and give me their confidences by morning
the spontaniety will have passed.”

Mother made our home a Mecca for her friends and
ours; and it resounded with the gaiety of happy voices from
our earliest recollections all through grade school, high school
and college.

We were taught to live clean, moral and ambitious lives;
and to seek the strength necessary for such a course in faith¬
ful observance of the teachings of the Gospel, inherited
through a worthy line of paternal and maternal pioneer
ancestors.

In her own affairs Mother generally gets whatever she
goes after, whether it be a little wool-eating moth or an apart¬
ment, built as her practical and artistic mind assures her it
should be. She has a fine sense of proportion and color and
a keen appreciation of the beautiful, which tells her unerring¬
ly that a thing is right and appropriate or that it lacks in some
vital respect. She is original, and resourceful and is slow to
acknowledge defeat. If her first approach fails or is unsatis¬
factory in essentials she profits by the mistake and starts
anew, certain in her philosophy that anything worth while
can be done, and that only in doing can development and
happiness be found.

JENNIE K. MANGUM

JENNIE KNIGHT MANGUM

*3!

Mother seems to have an intuitive ability to judge people
correctly; to visualize their characteristics and to anticipate
situations that grow naturally out of these character readings.
This inspirational guidance has helped us on numerous occa¬
sions in the selection of friends and associates; and further
demonstrated the truth of the old adage, “An ounce of pre¬
vention is worth a pound of cure”. We often laughed over
another, “Mother knows best”. These truths were made
plain to us so many times that we early developed an assurance
of, and a confidence in, her uncanny foresight. She is happy
that all of her children thus far have been married in the
temple.

Mother is innately hospitable, both to friends and strang¬
ers. Her joy in doing for others is so apparent that they
enjoy her enjoyment hardly second to their own. Her gen¬
erosity and stability have been tested through prosperity as
well as in leaner years; and through it all she remains calm,
serene, cheerful and thankful for all that life has brought
her. She is still the companionable companion, revered
teacher, devoted and beloved mother and the faithful, lovable
and competent wife.

As a girl Jennie Knight was a prominent student of the
Brigham Young University, from Training School to college,
and was well known in musical circles of that institution.
She was a prime favorite socially, equally prized by both her
girl and young men associates. Those early ties of friendship
are firm and enduring to this day, as are all those later ones
formed on the campus of life.

In grateful recognition of the benefits derived personally
through her years at the Brigham Young University, and of
the great help the school has been to her sons and daughters,
Mrs. Mangum in the Spring of 1922 inaugurated the practice
of awarding an annual B. Y. U. scholarship to the most active

132

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

and outstanding male student of the Provo High School.
The high school faculty is the sole judge in making this
selection. With the commencement exercises of 1941 there
will have been issued twenty of these Mangum scholarships.

During the busiest days of her young motherhood Mrs.
Mangum found time for church and civic duties in generous
measure. She served with distinction on the Utah Stake
Relief Society Board and for several years on both ward and
stake boards of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement As¬
sociations. Her contributions as a Stake Board member to
the Gleaner Department brought recognition from the Gen¬
eral Board, to which body she was appointed in the Spring of
1924, and from which she resigned in the Fall of 1929, shortly
before the birth of her son John.

The following testimonials are indicative of the love and
respect in which Mrs. Mangum is held by her fellow workers:

In addition to the charming and gracious qualities which
Jennie Knight Mangum inherited from her mother, she is
doubly blessed in having the rare and valuable gift of financial
ability,— -so marked a trait in her distinguished father. An
excellent illustration is furnished in the following incident:
The General Board's Gleaner Committee of the Young
Ladies Mutual Improvement Association decided to add a
new feature in their programme for June Conference. In
addition to the usual presentation of class work for the coming
year, they would have something special and practical for
prospective “Gleaner” Brides. A souvenir folder should be
carefully prepared containing two lists of kitchen utensils.
In the first one only indispensable articles would be named,
but the second would suggest other helpful and desirable
things for more abundant purses. After many hours of con¬
sultation the committee was about to adjourn when the
chairman said, “I believe if I should promise to assume all
responsibility and pay for the trouble, that the Z. C. M. I.

JENNIE KNIGHT MANGUM

*33

r'»''

would be kind enough to let us borrow these utensils to
demonstrate their value to these brides-to-be. What an in¬
teresting session we could have!” (Very proud she was of her
brilliant suggestion.) She looked for approval of committee
members. Jennie Mangum seemed a bit bewildered and
asked, “Sister T., would you do that?” “Of course I would,”
was the reply, “and I believe they would consent.” Slowly
and deliberately Jennie spoke thus, “Well, I'll tell you what
I would do; I would go to the advertising manager and say,
‘We are having a folder prepared to give prospective “Glean¬
er” Brides. It will contain complete lists of kitchen utensils.
If you would like to bring these utensils over to the Lion
House to our Department Meeting we will give you per¬
mission to demonstrate them and charge you only fifty dollars
provided you take all responsibility for their transportation
and breakage. You will, of course, be allowed a line of
advertising for Z. C. M. I. at the foot of the lists in the
folder'.”

The chairman was wise enough to sense the fact that her
“gift” must be along some other line than finance. She
accepted the suggestion and asked Jennie to accompany her
to the Z. C. M. I. Their offer was accepted. A refrigerator
dealer and a kitchen range dealer heard about this affair,
and they came and asked to have their wares illustrated in
the folder with invitations to “Gleaner” Brides to “come
and see”. They offered even more generous amount for
space than was asked of Z. C. M. I. The final results from
Jennie's suggestion enriched the funds of the General Board
to the surprise and appreciation of all concerned.

I shall always love Jennie and appreciate the association
and value of her friendship.

Sincerely,

May Booth Talmage.

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Salt Lake City, Utah,
August 7, 1929.

Mrs. Jennie K. Mangum,

381 East Center Street,

Provo, Utah.

Dear Sister Mangum:

It is needless, I am sure, to tell you how much we regret
that you have found it necessary to ask for your release from
the General Board of the Y. L. M. I. A.

You have shown so much zeal and efficiency in your
work and have been so helpful to all departments with which
you have been associated and withal such a lovely addition
to the Board that we are reluctant to grant your request.

However, we appreciate the tender Mother spirit which
actuates you and so release you with the love and blessing
of every member of the Board.

Sincerely your sisters,

Ruth May Fox,

Lucy J. Cannon,

Clarissa A. Beesley,

General Presidency Y. L. M. I. A.

Jennie Knight Mangum: Born November 7, 1885, at Pay-
son, Utah; married W. Lester Mangum September 6, 1905, in
the Salt Lake Temple, by President Joseph F. Smith. Mrs.
Mangum is the mother of eight children, seven of whom
are still living. All were born in Provo.

Gloria K.: Born July 31, 1906; married U. Lynn Miller
June 16, 1928, in the Salt Lake Temple. The Millers have
one son, Richard Lynn, born September 11, 1930. In her
sophomore year Gloria was called on a mission for the L. D. S.
Church to labor in Minnesota, from which she returned for
one more year at the Brigham Young University before mar-

JENNIE KNIGHT MANGUM

*35

riage. Lynn Miller is a graduate of the Brigham Young Uni¬
versity and also has his Masters Degree from the George
Washington University.

Max Knight: Born July 6, 1908; married Norma Celeste
Peterson June 25, 1932. They have one son, David Lester,
born November 27, 1938, and one daughter, Wendy K., born
June 30, 1940, in Denver. Max was graduated from the B.
Y. U. in 1932 and from the George Washington University,
law Department, in 1936. At the close of his sophomore year
at the “Y” Max was called to serve a three year mission to
the Tahitian Islands. Filling this mission he returned for his
Junior and Senior years at the Y. During his final year at
the George Washington U. he was recommended by his Dean
as law clerk with the firm of Covington, Burling, Rublee,
Acheson and Shorb of Washington, D. C. He served in this
capacity until the organization of the Social Security Board,
where he was employed in the legal department. When the
six Rocky Mountain States were set up as a Region, with
Denver as headquarters, Mr. Mangum was appointed Claims
Attorney. In addition to this Federal work, Mr. Mangum
is now acting as special teacher and lecturer in the School
of Commerce at the Denver University.

Beth K.: Born August 19, 1910; married Benjamin Bruton
Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple June 4, 1931, at the close
of her sophomore year at the Brigham Young University. The
Johnsons have two daughters, Barbara Jo, born November
29, 1937, and Betty Jean, born April 18, 1940, in Los Angeles.
Benjamin Johnson is a graduate of the B. Y. U. and received
his M.D. from the George Washington University, and is
now a practicing pediatrician in Los Angeles.

Amanda K.: Died at birth, November 10, 1911.

Dixie K.: Born March 25, 1913; married Wm. J. Snow,
Jr., September 6, 1934. The Snows have one daughter, Dixie
Ann, born December 11, 1936; and a son Wm. J. The Third,

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

1 36

born August 18, 1940, in Washington, D. C. Dixie also left
the Brigham Young University at the close of her Junior year
to continue secretarial work in the East. William J. Snow, Jr.
received his L.L.B. from the George Washington University,
and is now Comptroller and Board Member of the National
Farm Credit Association.

Jessie K.: Born January 30, 1916; graduated from the
Brigham Young University in 1936; and after one year at
home in office and stenographic work joined her sisters in the
east where she resumed work in her chosen field. December
4, 1937, she was married to Adam Young Bennion, who is a
graduate of the University of Utah and of the George Wash¬
ington University Law School.

William Lester: Born February 12, 1920; Senior at the
Brigham Young University. Bill, as he is called by family
and friends, knows all about the cost of higher education,
as he has worked successfully as a traveling salesman during
each of his summer vacations since entering college. Bill
is learning thus early in life to become self supporting and
to acquire the habits of an efficient and dependable workman.

John Knight: Born February 11, 1930. Young as he is,
John shows the characteristics of the student and is given top
ranking by his teachers. He is a voracious reader; is blessed
with an excellent memory and shows unusual powers of
analysis for one so young.

Blessed with a serene spirit and a busy mind, the years
pass lightly over Mrs. Mangum’s head, leaving her but slightly
touched with the fading filaments of time. She takes a pride¬
ful joy in her children and grandchildren, and plans for, and
dreams of, the service they shall render in their day to fellow
travelers and seekers after truth.

ADDIE IONA KNIGHT

IONA KNIGHT JORDAN

ilDDiE Iona Knight, the youngest child of Jesse
and Amanda McEwan Knight, was born December 18, 1891,
at Provo, Utah. She was richly endowed with a keen intellect,
a generous heart, and an unusually intelligent sense of humor.

In her childhood she was so well supplied with everything
her heart desired that one Christmas morning, after examining
all the gifts she found on the Christmas tree, she burst into
tears. Her mother said, “Iona, what are you crying for?”
Amid her sobs she replied, “Because there is nothing more
to wish for.”

Having an abundance of material things, such as a play
house fully equipped for cooking and entertaining, a bicycle,
a pony cart and saddle for her ponies, and many other things,
she did not become proud and selfish. She was a general
favorite with her playmates, and children came from far
and near to share her hospitality. Among her intimate asso¬
ciates were Vera Taft, Annie K. Smoot, and Kathryne Bassett,
whose indulgent mothers were constantly making various
costumes to satisfy the hearts of these would-be actresses.
These girls remained her most intimate friends to the end.

Her school days were happy and successful ones. She
loved Sunday School and became a teacher in the Provo
Fifth Ward.

When she was fifteen years old she expressed a desire
to go to Europe, as there were two young ladies, Clara Allen
and Pearl Jones, making the trip. At the request of Iona's
parents, Fanny G. McLean, a member of the B. Y. U. faculty,
consented to be Iona's chaperone; and this congenial group
of four left Provo, Saturday, February 2, 1907. They visited
the principal cities of eastern United States and then sailed
from Boston for England. The voyage was delightful. R. E.

i58

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

Allen, a brother of Clara Allen, then on a mission to Great
Britain, met them at Liverpool, and Wells Brimhall, a mis¬
sionary to Holland, joined them later.

This party of six travelled together, enjoying the wonders
to be found in the principal cities of England and Ireland,
Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and
Germany.

The interesting and enthusiastic cards and letters to the
various members of the family give evidence of the enjoyment
and scope of understanding Iona had while travelling abroad.
Miss McLean says of her, “Everyone guessed Iona to be at
least twenty when she was just past fifteen. She was always
prompt and pleasant, and was good company/'

She continued her education at the Brigham Young
University, and later went to West Lake School for Girls,
in Los Angeles, California. She was a lover of horses and
took her gaited Kentucky saddler with her when she went to
California to attend school. Her brother, J. Will, purchased
this beautiful black horse in Kentucky and presented it to her
as a gift. She went from West Lake School to Stanford
University, Palo Alto. While there, she was often a guest at
the home of Dr. and Mrs. David Starr Jordan, where she
made the acquaintance of their son, Knight Starr Jordan,
whom she married September 1, 1913, at her parents' home
in Provo, Bishop Albert Manwaring officiating. After a trip
to Honolulu they made their home in Provo, where they
lived for a few years. During this time two children were
born to them; Lee Knight was born February 26, 1916, and
Ruth, September 23, 1919. They both attended school at
the B. Y. U. for a short period. After moving to Palo Alto
they registered at Stanford University. Lee graduated from
this institution in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science Degree,
majoring in Minerology. Ruth is completing her course in art
at the U. C. L. A., Los Angeles. Iona always loved children

IONA KNIGHT JORDAN

*39

and they adored her; they were attracted to her as to sunlight
and play; and she never lost her hold upon them even after
time had made them mature companions. She was never
more happy than when entertaining them. This continued
after she was married, in her home, in the city, and at her
commodious summer home at Springdell, Provo Canyon,
where groups of children congregated.

Knight and Iona Jordan made their home in San Fran¬
cisco for some time; later Iona and the children returned to
Provo for a short time and she became a teacher in the
English Department at the B. Y. U. from which she went
to Palo Alto and lived at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jordan.
Being a favorite of his she spent many interesting hours
reading and talking to him during his last long illness. She
always had an inquiring mind, and enriched it continuously
by contact with superior people and good books, and took
advantage of every opportunity for gaining knowledge. She
was never without good books and magazines at her elbow
or bedside, and managed to keep abreast of the times. Iona
was generous to a fault, a cheerful, invigorating companion,
and the center and life of her group whether great or small.
Many situations were converted from embarrassment or near
tragedy by her keen sense of humor. She could always enjoy
laughing at herself with others. She made friends easily and
kept them always. During her long illness, which she knew
must be fatal, whatever may have been her lonely thoughts,
in the presence of others she radiated a sense of ease and
comfort. Friends called to bless and cheer her, and left feel¬
ing that they, themselves, had been blessed and cheered.
This required a rare form of self denial and courage which
never failed, and which her family and friends will gratefully
remember.

Such a woman would naturally be encircled with a host
of friends, but the pride, joy, and anxiety of her heart were

140

THE JESSE KNIGHT FAMILY

her children. They have inherited their mother's uncom¬
promising regard for truth and honor and her urge for the
finer things in life; thus through them she still lives.

She left the world she loved so much at dawn, May 7,
1937, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, Cali¬
fornia. She wished no special funeral service, and, complying
with her request, her teacher, John C. Swensen, read the
13th chapter of Corinthians at her graveside in the Knight
family lot in Provo, Utah, and President Stephen L. Chipman
spoke appreciatively of her life.

' , . .. a

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